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Private Prescriptions 
and LECTURES 



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DAVID J. LOWR.EY, Veterinary Surgeon. 



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PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 



AND 



LECTURES. 



A Perfect Manuel and Complete Hand-Book on 



DISEASES OF STOCK, 



CONTAINING SIXTEEN PLAIN, PRACTICAL COMMON-SENSE 
LECTURES ON THE HORSE AND HIS NUMEROUS 
AFFECTIONS, AND ONE HUNDRED AND FOR- 
TY-FOUR OF THE MOST VALUABLE 
PRESCRIPTIONS KNOWN TO 
THE VETERINARY 

WORLD. 



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BY 



DAVID J. LOWREY, Veterinary Surgeon. 



1902: 

DEMOCRAT PUBLISHING CO., 

Weatherford, Texas. 



CONGRESS, 

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CLASS CL^ YXO Mc. 

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COPY 6. 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1902, by 

DAVID J. LOWRBY, V. S., 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 






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AGREEMENT 



having purchased Copy No of " Private 

Prescriptions and lectures, " by D. J. I^owrey, V. S. , 
obligate myself to neither give away nor lend this book or 
its prescriptions to any one, but I reserve the right to 
apply all the information I may obtain from these pages 
upon any occasion. 

Sig ned ^ 




DAVIDIJ. LOWREY, V. S, 



PREFACE. 



After years of delay and many broken promises made to 
friends and former pupils the author submits this little vol- 
ume with the hope that it will meet the expectations of 
those who have urged this work upon him. 

In the preparation of these pages my object has been to 
give to the American farmer and stockman, whose onerous 
duties allow but little leisure for consulting more compre- 
hensive works, a practical common-sense hand-book, 
through which he may be enabled to* preserve the lives and 
usefulness of one of the most valuable assets of the farm. 

I have endeavored to eliminate everything not of some 
practical worth and have striven to express myself in plain 
and simple language to the end that any one who can read 
may understand, no matter what his advantages in life 
may have been. 

In speaking thus plainly I feel that I can more readily 
secure the attention of those whom I desire to reach and I 
can not believe that the simplicity of my work will cause it 
to prove less acceptable to them. 

THE AUTHOR. 



PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS AND LECTURES. 



THE HOUSE. 

CHAPTER I. 



To be able to successfully meet tbe various pathological 
conditions which so often arise in the great equine family, 
the student must first turn his attention to, and master the 
horse in a state of perfect health; when this is done he is in 
a posjtion to distinguish the presence of disease. The nor- 
mal or healthy horse is one in -which there is an entire ab- 
sence of any pervertion of nature, either external or inter- 
nal. External or local troubles can in most instances be 
readily determined by even the unlearned, but internal les- 
ions can not be distinguished or understood satisfactorily 
without accurate information as to the pulse, temperature, 
respiration, actions and inclinations, in Let everything that 
is in any way expressive of either the feelings or physical 
condition of the animal must be carefully studied. 

pui,SE. 
If there is any one thing which can be classed as being 
of vital consequence, of supreme importance to the veteri- 



8 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

narian, it is a perfect understanding of "the pulse. The 
pulse is the barometer by which we are governed in the ad- 
ministration of medicines in all internal diseases. It is ev- 
idence of the circulation of the blood which passes through 
the arteries at the rate of about ninety feet per minute. It 
is the key to the nervous system, for the circulation is pro- 
duced and its volume regulated by the sympathetic nerves. 
The pulse indicates the condition of the heart, and whether 
or not disease is of a depressed or exalted character. In 
inflamations and fevers the frequency of the pulse is in- 
creased according to stage of the disease. In debilitated 
conditions we find it usually depressed, but some times 
quick, then natural. The normal or pulse of health in the 
full grown horse is from 33 to 36, and in rare instances, 40 
beats per minute. In young stock it is more frepuent. 
under one year of age it runs from 42 to 48 beats per min- 
ute. There are many places at which the pulse can be 
gotten, but the best place for taking it is, in my judgment, 
from the submaxillary artery as it passes on the inner an- 
gle of the lower jaw, this being the most convenient We 
have many pulse variations which will be fully treated un- 
der the heads of the diseases in which they 
prevail. 

TEMPERATURE. 

When we speak of the temperature of a hrose, we do so 
with reference solely to the amount of heat prevailing in 
the economy of the animal, Through the agency of a ther- 
mometer, and by no other means, are we able to secure the 
correct temperature of a horse. To take temperature in- 
sert clinical thermometer in rectum, always turning ti to 



AND LECTURES. 9 

one side so as to have it press against the side of bow- 
els, allow it to remain from 3 to 5 minutes, remove carefully 
and note any deviation from the normal. The normal tem- 
erature of the horse is from 99 ° to 100 ° . In severe cases 
the temperature should be taken every 4 to 6 hours, while 
in m Id cases once or twice per day is sufficient. The tem- 
perature may sometimes rua as low as 78 1 -2 ° and the 
horse will servive, but when it reaches 75 ° it is nry judg- 
ment that death is rapidly approaching. 

RESPIRATION. 

In health the horse breaths from 12 to 14 times per min- 
ute, work or excitement increases this, however. The num- 
ber of respirations per minute can be readily counted by 
the heaving of the flanks. It reqnires no especial skill to 
distinguish the soft rustling sound of the healthy respira- 
tory murmur, but considerable experience is required to 
make one a first-class judge of the sounds obtained by per- 
cussion. Percussion is the act of striking smartly a finger 
of one hand, (resting gently over part to be examined) wiih 
the first three fingers of the other. In connection with the 
respiratory organs we place the finger over the lung in the 
region of the 6th rib, do our striking and. in case of health 
we find a clear resonant sound, but should disease exist 
everything is changed, depending entirely upon the nature 
and extent of the trouble. The abnormal sounds which 
prevail in diseases of the air passages and lungi will be 
treated under the heads of the various diseases with which 
they are associated. 



10 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

ACTIONS AND INCLINATIONS. 

In studying the horse, his every act as to position in 
standing and laying, rolling, kicking, pawing, jumping, 
etc., must be taken into consideration with its initial refer- 
ence to disease. These along with inclinations in the way 
of appetite, for either food or drink, are expressive of the 
feelings of an animal, and are all we have to rely upon in the 
diagnosis of disease, aside from the pulse, temperature and 
respiration. By depicting an animal when suffering from 
a derangement of an internal organ, is our only means of 
illustrating an internal disease. 

Under this head I desire to direct the reader's attention 
to, and urging upon him the importance of a painstaking 
consideration of the habits and constitutional conditions, as 
well as the color and quantity of excretions of every ani- 
mal which he is treating, to the end that he may be able to 
distinguish when nature is aiding him. 

IMPORTANCE OF PROMPT TREATEENT. 

The sooner disease is recognized and given the proper 
treatment, the sooner health will be restored, making the 
liability of a fa'al termination and consequent loss, very 
much less and, from a humane standpoint, the less the ani- 
mal will suffer. There is nothing to which the old adage 
that "a stich in time saves nine," applies more forcibly 
than in the treatment of the ailments of all kinds among 
stock, no matter whether the trouble be local in character 
or of internal origin For instance, a horse goes lame from 
a corn, if properly attended to it can be cured in a few days, 
but if neglected it festers and spreads, works up through 
the foot and breaks out around the top of the hoof, forming 



AND LECTURES. II 

a quittorr, which with the best of attention cannot be cured 
in less than 5 or 6 weeks. Another instance, a horse may 
catch a cold and have a catarrhal discharge from the nose, 
sore throat, a cough and loss of appetite, if promptly and 
properly treated he may be restored to health and useful- 
ness in from 2 to 10 days, but if neglected for a day or two 
the disease will in all probability find its way into the 
lungs, starting an irritation most painful in character, and 
disease of lengthy duration, with the possibility of a fatal 
termination. 

KNOW WHAT YOU ARK TREATING. 

I^et me urge as a matter of utmost importance, that when 
treatment of any kind is indicated, whether it be local or 
internal, that the proper remedies be applied promptly and 
thoroughly. But I would 1 em hid you to be sufficiently 
cautious in every instance; always be sure you are on the 
right track then go ahead with energy and persistence. Do 
not be caught treating an ankle because it is cocked, when 
every particle of the inflamation causing the lameness is in 
the foot. Neither would I have you make the mistake of 
"dosing" a horse for the "Bots," when the trouble is either 
Pleurisy or an affection of the kidneys. Many errors 
similar in character to these, have come under the obser- 
tion of the writer in his practice. One notable instance in 
which many were deceived was supposed to be a case of 
"Sweeney" in which I was called. I found the horse 
very lame, and blistered on both shoulders and withers by 
the too free use of some patent liniment of questionable 
utility. I made a careful examination, and through it 
the fact was disclosed to me that this horse was suffering 



i2 private: prescriptions 

from a thorn in his foot. This I removed and the patient 
was all right in a few days. I relate this merely to illus- 
trate the worth of accurate information, and the absolute 
necessity for careful examination, and intelligent delibera- 
tion before beginning with any treatment. But when the 
disease is clearly denned, when it is exclusively located 
by a process of exclusion, begin at once the careful admin- 
istration of the remedies indicated in such disease, provided 
however, that in case of internal medication, the nature 
and stage of disease makes such a course necessary. 

be; sure medication is indicated. 

The reader must bear in mind the important fact that 
medicine alone never cured man nor beast. It merely 
assists nature in effecting a cure. Observation and experi- 
ence ha ye forced the conclusion upon me, that more stock 
are killed through the administration of stuff called medi- 
cine by the ignorant and irresponsible than would have 
died, had nature alone been depended upon for a cure. I 
have found it necessary to physic only about one half the 
stock which I am called to see. Nature and disease are 
diametrically opposed to each other. The one puts forth 
every effort by means of natural law to build up the system, 
while the other exerts all those baleful influences which 
have a tendency to bring about decay and death In the 
treatment of the internal diseases of the horse, I would 
advise that nature be relied upon entirely, until the 
pulse reaches 50 beats per minute; should the pulse go 
beyond this, medication is indicated and I would suggest 
that its administration be promptly begun. But I rec- 
ommend that a dose of medicine for any internal disease 



AND LECTURES. 1 3 

be never repeated so long as the pulse is on a stand still 
or shows an inclination to come down; under these circum- 
stances simply give nature a chance, and in most cases 
she will do her work well. 

HOW TO GIVE MEDICINE. 

Medicines for horses are usually in either a liquid or 
powdered form. Powders may be given incorporated with 
the food; when the horse will not take it in this way, a 
good plan is to use a long handled spoon, pull his tongue 
out and empty powder by means of spoon far back on the 
root of it. Another way of giving powders is by making 
them into a ball or placing them in a capsule which ball 
or capsule, as the case may be, is thrown into the fauces 
or throat of the patient. Liquids ?re best given in the 
way of a drench. To drench a horse, secure a long necked 
bottle and place the desired amount of medicine in it, ele- 
vate the head of the horse, insert neck of bottle in side of 
mouth and pour contents slowly into throat, keeping head 
elevated until all is swallowed. If horse should cough 
while being drenched, let his head down at once regard- 
less of the loss of medicine, for if kept up, drench is liable 
to pass into the lungs instead of the stomach and result in 
something serious. Never be so brutal and ignorant as to 
attempt drenching a horse through the nose, for it is an 
inhuman practice, aside from placing the life of the animal 
in jeopardy. 

Small doses of medicine can be given by means of a 
little syringe. To do this open the mouth of horse with 
one hand, insert the syringe containing medicine at the 
side with other, and shoot contents into throat. 



i4 private; prescriptions 

The hypodermic method of administering medicines is very- 
unsafe for one but experienced practitioners, for by this 
method they are assimilated much more readily, and act 
very much more powerfully than when taken through the 
stomach. The dose hypodermically of most drugs is about 
half that administered internally. 

NURSING AND FADING. 

Much might be written under this head and from time 
to time, we intend wsdging in a lot of matter in this con- 
nection which we consider of worth to every one. At 
this stage we will simply give a few practical hints. 

In order to care for an animal intelligently and properly 
the nurse must familiarize himself with his habits and 
requirements in a state of health. It is of the greatest 
importanoe in case of sickness that a horse should be made 
as comfortable as possible in both summer and winter; 
always allow plenty of fresh air to breathe, but in every 
instance avoid a draft. Have bedding dry and clean. 
Food wants to be simple, clean, nutritious and as easy 
digestable as possible. All water given should be fresh, 
pure and clean. Be careful about over-feeding; this is 
often a detriment and a hinderance. Sick horses should 
be fed 4 or 5 times per day, but in very small quantities. 
Colts should have their ration every 2 or 3 hours. A pa- 
tient with fever should have plenty of pure water by him 
all the while, and be allowed to help himself, but those 
suffering with Diarrhoea or Dysentery should be given 
water 4 or 5 times per day in sparing quantities. An ani- 
mal should always have a few days rest after being sick; 
many cases prove fatal from working them too soon. 



CHAPTER II. 



DISEASES OF THE TEETH, MOUTH AND THROAT. 

Under this head we will consider everything of import- 
ance in connection with these organs, aside from those af- 
fections of the throat, which are intimately connected with, 
and have a direct bearing upon the air passages. 

SHARP, IRREGULAR, UNEVEN AND ELONGATED TEETH. 

Either of these are worthy of our careful attention, for 
they often prevent a horse from properly masticating his 
food, and in some instances make eating a very difficult 
accomplishment. 

Cause — The^e irregularties are usually produced by a re- 
tention of the milk teeth beyond the time when they should 
be shed, by the uneven wearing away of the permanent 
teeth in masticating hard food, and through a lack of prop- 
er occlusion. 




HOW TO KNOW 
THEM. 

A sight of the 
animal when try- 
ing to eat in con- 
nection with an 
examination of the 
teeth is sufficient. 



1 6 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

WHAT TO DO. 

Cut teeth down evenly and smoothly, being careful to 
leave no sharp corners. This is accomplished by means 
of an instrument called a "float," which resembles a 
coarse file or rasp If there is an irregular or elongated 
tooth, which precludes the possibility " of establishing a 
propped acclusion by floating, extraction should be resort- 
ed to. 

Tooth Ache. 

The tooth ache is of more common occurrence in the 
horse than is generally supposed, and it very often pro- 
duces a condition, with reference to the health of the 
animal, of grave importance. No horse is in trim to per- 
form his full complement of work when he is estopped from 
eating his daily ralion by the pain engendered in the act 
from an exposed and irritated nerve; neither is he fit for 
service when racked and tortured by the excrutiating and 
deep seated pa::: of an abscess on the fangs of a decayed 
tooth. 

Cause — It is brought about most generally by the forma- 
tion of a cavity ti rough common decay, and occasionally 
from a kick or blow upon the mouth by which the teeth 
are cracked, broken or otherwise injured. Sometimes 
injuries to the teeth are the results of efforts at masticating 
very hard corn. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The actions of the horse while eating, coupled with an 
examination of his teeth, will disclose the truuble; he will 
turn his head to one side when chewing, then he will 



AND LECTURES. 1 7 

throw it from si e to side as if trying to remove food from 
a sore in the mouth, and act much the same way when 
drinking cold water. He loses flesh rapidly from being 
unable to thoroughly masticate his food. If there is ulcer- 
ation or abscess of the tissues surrounding the fang of a 
tooth, we often find an enlargement or swelling which 
contains pus. Occasionally this abscess breaks into the 
. nose, causing a discharge from the nostril on same side as 
diseased tooth. On account of the disagreeable odor emit- 
ted, a discharge of this kind is sometimes taken for Nasal 
Gleet, and occasionally for Glanders A careful examina- 
tion of the teeth, and a reference to chapter on Gleet and 
Glanders, in this work will dem ustrate the wide differ- 
ence in these troubles. 

WHAT to do 

If, after a caretul examination, you are satisfied that the 
patient is suffering from an affected tooth; immediate ex- 
traction is the proper thing to resort to. 

L&mp8LS. 

This is simply congestion of the buccal membrane, and 
is accompanied by more or less tumefaction, which is 
more particularly noticed in the bars of the mouth. 

Cause — In old horses we attribute this condition to irri- 
tating substances or medicines, while in colts it is gener- 
ally the result of teething. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

. The bars of the mouth will be swollen, somttimes ex- 
tending below the teeth. In bad cases there will be a 



1 8 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

constant flow of saliva, and the horse can not masticate his 
food properly, and in many cases the breath is very 

offensive. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Scarify the first bar well with some sharp instrument, 
and rub in coarse salt for three consecutive days. Never 
cauterize for Lampas. 

Sore Mouth. 

This trouble is quite common, and is in most instances 
the result of neglect or carelessness. 

Cause — Very often a sore month is produced by the use 
of a severe bit; occasionally by the caustic properties in 
either food or medicines, and sometimes from grazing when 
the dew is heavy. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

It is a very easy matter to look into a horse's mouth and 
discover an irregularity of this kind When the bone or 
roof of the mouth is injured, we will find considerable sore- 
ness and some swelling. 

WHAT TO DO. 

In case the trouble arises from bit used, try another of 
more gentle persuasion, or else keep it out of mouth en- 
tirely for a few days. If properties in food or medicine 
are cause, make a change in them, and in case the trouble 
comes from grazing when dews are on, keep patient off of 
pasture until the sun is well up in the morning and lot 
him before dew falls in the evening. To remove the 
cause is generally sufficient to effect a cure, but in the 



AND LECTURES. 19 

event the mouth is raw, and you desire to aid nature, use 
the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Acid Tannic one half ounce. 

Acid Acetic Dilute one ounce. 

Water, add sufficient quantity, one pint. 
Mix and apply 3 times a day as a lotion to mouth. 
In case the bone is injured or exposed cleanse it well 3 
or 4 times a day with carbolized water. 

Tongue Laceration. 

Though of uncommon occurrence, it is well that we 
understand how to treat such a condition to the best 
advantage. 

Cause — In falling an animal sometimes has his tongue 
between his teeth, and by this means it is bitten; again he 
strikes his mouth against something and the tongue is 
injured. The bits or a sharp molar tooth are in some in- 
stances the cause of laceration. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

A sight of the tongue will readily convey to the mind of 
any one what the trouble is. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Wounds of the tongue heal very quickly and satisfac- 
torily, but they do not always heal as evenly and smoothly 
as we would like. In severe cases where a portion of the 
tongue is torn or cut more than half off, it is advisable to 
cut severed portion entirely away and use the following: 



20 



PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 



PRESCRIPTION. 

Borax i ounce. 

Honey i ounce. 

Water • i pint. 

Mix and apply to wound (after drying it) 3 or 4 times per 

day. 

Pharyngitis. 

By pharyngitis is meant an acute inflammation of the 
Pharynx, which is an organ situated at the back part of 
the mouth, and is the connecting link between it and the 
tube leading directly into the stromach. 

Cause — It is usually brought about through some for- 
eign substance, such as oat straw or wheat beards, lodging 
in its passage from the mouth into the esophagus, the 
latter being the tube leading to the stomach. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

We find the throat and glands of the neck more or less 
enlarged, considerable tenderness upon pressure, neck 
stretched and head extended. It will be noticed that it is 
very painful for the animal to swallow, if indeed he can do 
so at all. In his efforts at drinking, water returns by way 
of the nose. This disease presents many of the symptoms 
which are found in Laryngitis, a disease of the air passage, 
but is much easier controlled; auout the only difference of 
any note is the symptoms of the two are the hacking cough 
and high fevers found in Laryngitis. The treatment em- 
ployed is very similar in both diseases. 



AND LECTURES. 21 

WHAT TO DO. 

First, examine the throat and if any foreign substance 
be found remove it After this is done apply a counter 
irritant to outside of throat. A mustard plaster is good, 
and the following has been used with considerable success 
by the author; 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Ammonia Liquor 

Turpentine, Oil of 

Linseed Oil, each . 2 ounces 

Mix and rub in well once per day until blistered 
In case patient should have any fever use 

PRESCRIPTION 

Aconite, Tincture of one drachm 

Niter, Spirits of 1 1-2 ounces 

Potash, Nitrate of 1 1-2 ounces 

Water, add sufficient quantity . . . . 1 pint 
Mix and give one tablespoon every 2 hours until fever 
gives away. Give soft feed, such as bran mash, and in 
case patient cannot swallow this, try him on meal gruel in 
the way of a dren h. Should this f *il, injections of oat- 
meal in»to the rectum must be depended upon. Prepare 
this same as for table 

CHOKED HORSES 

While an uncommon occurrence, yet we occasionally 
run across a horse that is choked, and it becomes 
our duty to relieve him, when such a course is 
possible. 

Cause — The lodgment of anything in the throat. In 



22 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

most instances it is caused by eating dry food, such as 
thrashed oats, fodder, hay, etc., without these being prop- 
erly incorporated with and moistened by the saliva. These 
accumulate in great lumps in the gullet, usually about six 
inches below the pharynx. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is liitle room for mistake in diagnosis when a horse 
is choked, for his every act plainly indicates the trouble. 
We notice the choked horse elevating his head and stretch- 
ing his neck, he is coughing hard at intervals, as if trying 
to expel something from the throat, and the saliva runs 
freely from both sides of the mouth. In some instances 
the flanks are distended. 

WHAT To do. 
Make a thorough examination, and if obstruction can be 
reached, remove it with either hands or forceps. Should 
you fail in your efforts at removing it in this way, admin- 
ister a few swallows of raw Linseed oil, or a half a dozen 
raw eggs; if these do not soften lump and lubricate gullet 
sufficient to allow it to pass on to the stomach, force must 
be used. There is a probe made expressly for work of this 
kind, but a smooth buggy whip well greased, or small rub- 
ber tube is all right. By exerting gentle pressure with 
probe upon obstruction, it can in most cases be readily 
forced into the stomach Great caution must be exercised 
in introducing any of these things into the throat, to avoid 
pushing them through the walls of the gullett, and never 
allow them to remain for longer than a minute at a time, 
as the patient cannot breathe with an instrument of this 
kind in his throat 



CHAPTER III. 

Diseases of the Respiratory Organs. 

It is very essential that diseases confiued to these organs 
should have prompt and careful attention, for in very- 
many instances the life of the animal depends upon our 
efforts in this direction. Intelligent treatment coupled 
with every advantage of disease, with reference to dura- 
tion should be our motto. 

Tumor in the FaJse Nostril. 

The false nostril is a small pouch on the inside of the 
lower edge of either nostril. Tumors sometimes form here 
and partake more of the nature of abscesses, in that they 
are filled with pus of a cheesy consistency, but are tumors 
in that they form slowly and do not point and break like 
an abscess. 

Cause — We can give no satisfactory reason for a malady 
of this kind. It may come from an external injury and 
again the cause may arise through a lack of functional 
activity upon the part of some of the sebaceous glands. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

A small swelling is often apparant on the outside, but 
the main dependence is to be placed in an examination of 



24 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

the nostril, when it will be found almost closed by an 
enlargement, generally about the size of an egg; there is no 
soreness, but we notice more or less wheezing in the act of 
breathing, this being due to the dimished capacity of the 
air passages 

WHAT TO do. 

There is not the slightest danger in operating here. Cut 
into tumor from inside of the nostril, making a free open- 
ing for the pus to escape Wash out wound 2 thoroughly 
or 3 times a day with carbolizen water. 

CATARHM. 

Some writers treat this subject under three different 
heads, viz: Acute, subacute and chronic, but for all prac- 
tical purposes I think a more simple classification justified, 
hence we consider it a^ being only acute and chronic. 

Acute Ca.ta.rrh. 

This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the 
nostrils; it is simple in itself, but all inflammations of the air 
passages are liable to extend to the bronchi and lungs and 
thus pioduce bronchitis or pneumonia, either of which is of 
serious import. 

Cause — Exposure to raw winds, cold rains and snow 
storms, more particularly when the animal is exhausted 
from overwork, or is overheated from an cause. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

First we notice sneezing and shaking of the head, which 
are in many- instances signs of pain in the horse; these are 



AND LECTURES. 25 

followed by a change in the mucous membrane of the nos- 
trils from the normal pink to a deep red color. Soon a 
watery discharge from the nose makes its appearance, but 
changes in a few days to a mucilaginous state of a yellow- 
ish-white color and may be profuse. The temperature 
rises, pulse runs from 44 to 60 beats to the minute, the 
fever depending upon the amount of surface involved. The 
appetite is often lost and the patient becomes debilitated; 
he does not cough unless the throat is affected, but expels 
air through his nostril often in a manner which may be 
aptly called "blowing his nose." In very acute cases we 
find the eyelids swollen considerably as seen in pink eye 
and tears flow freely over the cheeks. 

WHAT TO DO 

Shelter well and blanket if necessary; give soft feed and 
plenty of fresh well water to drink. Syringe out nostrils 2 
or 3 times a day with carbolized water and should throat 
become affected apply mustard plaster on under side from 
ear to ear. If pulse should go over 50 beats per minute 
use this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Aconite Tincture of 1 drachms 

Belladonna Fluid Extract of . . .2 drachms 

Water, add sufficient quantity ... 4 ounces 

Mix and give one tablespoon full 3 or 4 times a day and 

should there be a lack of appetite try the following as a 

tonic: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Potash Nitrate of 2 ounces 

Potash Bi -tartrate of 3 ounces 



26 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Iron Sulphate of 2 ounces 

Antimony (Black) 1 ounce 

Sulphur 8 ounces 

Mix and give a tablespoon full once per day. 

Chronic Catarrh or Nasal Gleet. 

The seat of this disease is usually the sinuses of the 
head. Some care must be exercised in passing upon 
troubles of this kind as horses have besn condemned as 
glandered when there was no ailment aside from "nasal 
gleet." Study well in connection with this disease the 
symptoms of glanders and you will be competent to render 
a safe opinion whenever called upon. Most generally the 
health of the animal suffering with chronic catarrh is not 
materially affected unless the case be of long standing. 

Cause — Neglected or obstinate acute catarrh which fails 
to yield to treatment. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

It is manifested by a persistent discharge of a thick 
white or yellowish-white matter from one or both nostrils, 
most commonly from one. This discharge may be inter- 
mittent, some days great quantities being thrown off and 
again very little if any. The eye on same side as dis- 
charging nostril may present a pecuilar appearance and 
look somewhat smaller than its fellow on opposite side. 
There may be an enlargement or bulging of the bone over 
affected part between and below the eyes. The breath 
may be offensive, but this is very unreliable as it may 
come from a bad tooth. When you tap on the bones 
between and below the eyes and above the back teeth if 



And lectures. 27 

the sinuses are filled with pus the sound emitted will be 
the same as if you had struck a solid substance, but if not 
we get a hollow drum like sound. In this disease we do 
not have the ragged sores found on the mucous membrane 
of the nose in glanders There may be a dry cough and 
sometimes loss of appetite. 

WHAT TO DO. 

If there be do bulging of the bone and sinuses are not 
entirely closed by inflamuion, syringe out nostrils well 
night and morning with carbolized water. When this is 
done take a pail of hot water and hold it under patients 
nose forcing him to inhale the steam as it rises. Stir water 
in pail with a twig and steam will pass off much more 
rapidly than if left at rest. Give internally: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Iron ; ulphate of 1 and 1-2 ounce 

Potash Nitrate of . . . 1 ounce 

Gentian powdered . . 1 ounce 

Blood Root 1 and 1-2 ounce 

Mix and divide into 16 powders; give one night and morn- 
ing. In case the sinuses of the head are closed and bulg- 
ing of the bones has taken place, trephineing is the only 
course left open, but this is a very difficult operation and 
Will require the services of a skilled veterinarian. (See 
chapter on operations ) 

Laryngitis. 

This is an inflamation of the larynx, an organ situated 
at the upper part of and is continuous with the wind-pipe. 
It is what is familiarly known as the "voice box" in man. 



2& PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Cause — Exposure, standing in cold draft of wind when 
warm; driving animal until he is hot and then allowing 
him to cool quickly. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is short, hurried breathing which may assume a 
noisy character and the patient sometimes seems as if 
threatened with suffocation. The cough which is usually 
the first symptom noticed is a dry hacking one. A violent 
fit of coughing may be iuduced by exerting pressure upon 
the larynx. In some instances the difficulty in swallowing 
is so great that water and sometimes food are returned 
through the nose. The head is generally poked out and 
carried stiffly, and saliva dribbles from the mouth. The 
temperature commonly runs from 102 ° to 104 ° and pulse 
will be found quick an 1 small, running from 55 to 75 
beats per minute, depending upon the amount of fever. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Clothe warmly and shelter from storms Rub mustard 
paste well in on throat from one ear to the other, and 
should this fail to give the desired relief in eighteen hours 
try a linseed meal poultice, having it as hot as patient will 
bear it. If the pulse should go beyond 50 beats per minute 
use this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Aconite tinct of 1 drachm 

Belladonna Fluid Extract of . . .2 drachms 
Water, add sufficient quantity, . . 4 ounces 
Mix and give one tablespoon full every 2 or 3 hours as 
indicated. Should the pulse run over 60 beats to the min- 



AND I^CTURE^. 29 

ute this dose is to be doubled; when it goes below 50, dis- 
continue entirely. When the patient begins to recover the 
following tonic will prove beneficial in this as well as most 
all other troubles where the appetite is involved or the 
blood is bad: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Mustard (ground) 4 ounces 

Sassafras Bark (powdered) .... 2 ounces 

Sulphur 3 ounces 

Genti n (powdered) 1 ounce 

Foenngreek Seed (powdered) . . . 1 ounce 

Antimony Block 1-2 ounce 

Mix and give one tablespoon full a day in soft feed. 

Quinsy. 

Quinsy in the horse is nothing more than laryngitis of a 
supurative type. This disease resembles tonsilitis in the 
human family. 

Cause — The inflammation in laryngitis is occasionally of 
such a deep seated and persistent nature as that there is a 
breaking down of tissue, and abscesses form, quinsy being 
the result 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

We find all the symptoms of laryngitis. The throat 
swells and gets very sore, the patient refuses to eat and 
generally has a *mall amount of fever which runs along 
from day to day until abscess breaks when there is a flow 
of pns and the sufferer gets almost instant relief. 



30 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

WHAT TO DO. 

We can do but little, aside from treating as we would 
laryngitis. Nature seems to take her own good time in 
assisting these abscesses in pointing and breaking. Should 
the patient get beyond eating or drinking and stay in 
such a condition for any great length of time it becomes 
our duty to administer nutriment by way of the rectum. 
L,arge injections of water through this channel wiU quench 
a burning thirst. 

BRONCHITIS. 

Bronchitis presents itself to us in different forms, hence 
we classify it into Acute and Chronic, and study each 
under a seperate head. In some sections of the United 
States these troubles are very prevalent, and it can in no 
way prove a waste of time for us to study them closely. 

Acute Bronchitis. 

This is simply an acute inflammation of the bronchi, these 
being the tubes or passages leading from the wind-pipe 
into the lungs. 

Cause — The causes of this trouble are much the same as 
that of those diseases of the air passages, previously de- 
scribed. 

how TO KNOW II . 

Generally we find a chill to be the first sign of this dis- 
ease, but it is not always observed; this passes off and the 
reaction brings on fever, the temperature rises, the nos :ils 
are distended and breathing is short and hard; at first 
there is a dry "barking" cough. The membranes of the 



AND LECTURES. 3 1 

nose are red; the patient will stand with his head down 
and won't move around much; his appetite is indifferent 
and his ears and legs are cold. When we place our ear to 
chest of patient we hear a thick unnatural sound, a kind 
of hissing or wheezing when small tubes are affected, and 
a cooing or snoring when the larger ones are involved. All 
of these symptoms may be observed in first ten hours, and 
in the next twenty-four the pulse may go up to 65 or 70 
be? r s a minute, and temperature to 104 ° or 105 ° ; the 
pulse will be small but frequent. The cough will increase 
but will be of a moist rattling character Urine will be 
highly colored and scanty. 

WHAT TO do. 
If initial chill is observed, give immediately an 1 at one 
dose four ounces of good brandy in a pint of warm water. 
When this is done wait an hour and begin the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Aconite, Tincture of 1 drachm 

Belladonna, Fluid extract of . . .2 drachms 

Nitre, Spirits of 1 ounce 

Water, q. s. ad 6 ounces 

Mix and give one tablespoonful every 2 or 3 hours as 
indicated. In case the pulse should, at the expiration of 
twenty-four hours, run above 60 beats per minute change 
yonr treatment to this. 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Nitre, Spirits of 1 1-2 ounces 

Ammonia, Muriate of 1-2 ounce 

Aconite, Tincture of 1 drachm 



2,2 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Belladonna, Fluid extract of . . .2 drachms 

Gentian, Tincture of 1 ounce 

Water, q. s. ad . . 16 ounces 

Mix and give 3 tablespoonfuls every 2 hours until pulse 
approximates 50 beats per minute, and has a downward 
tendency. Give patient fresh air to breathe and have 
plenty of clean water 'by all the time If there is much 
soreness of either lungs or throat use this 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Turpentine Spirits of ....... 3 ounces 

Camphor (gum) 3 drachms 

Cedar, Oil of 1 ounce 

Sassafras, Oil of . . . 1 ounce 

Alchohol 4 ounces 

Mix and^bathe freely parts directly over soreness, and 
should this blister rub in weil once a day fresh lard. Use 
same constitutional tonic as recommended in laryngitis. 

Chronic Bronchitis. 

Cause — From taking cold or the acute form not having 
been treated at the proper time and in the right way. I 
sometimes think it is brought on through an animal eating 
food stuffs containing either dust or smut. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is a confirmed cough, more or less severe in 
character and sometimes a discharge from the nostrils. 
The cough usually seems worse early in the morning, or 
when patient is subjected to exercise than at any other 
time. The temperature will be about normal, and the 






pulse will run from 42 to 45 beats per minute being full 
and regular. When the ear is placed to the chest we dis- 
tinguish a rattling rubbing sound, more, like passing the 

hand oyer a piece of dry paper than anything else. There 
i 
will be heaving of the flanks and shortness of breath from 

the mere presence of these, this trouble is often taken for 
heaves. With chronic bronchitis a horse can do moder- 
ate work and stay in fair flesh. 

WHAT TO DO. 

* Avoid long drives and be cautions about feeding too 
much bulky food. Give soft feed and pure water in liberal 
quantities. Be sure that you dampen every particle of 
feed allowed and let patient run on grass as much as possi- 
ble. Give the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Aloes Barbadoes 1 and 1-2 ounces 

Potash Nitrate of 2 ounces 

Potash Chlorate of 2 ounces 

Blood Root (powdered) . . 1 and 1-2 ounces 

Lobelia Seed (powdered) 1 ounce 

Tartar Emetic 6 drachms 

Nux Vomica (powdered) .... 3 drachms 
Mix and divide into 16 powders and give one every night. 

Pneumonia. 

Pneumonia is an acute inflammation of the tissues of the 
lungs; it is by no means rare and is most commonly con- 
fined to the right lung. Horses may have it at any season 
of the year, but it is most prevalent in winter or early 



34 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

spriug. Bronchitis is a common complication with pnue- 
monia. 

Cause — The cause of pneumonia is much the same 
as that of the other diseases of trie air passages with the 
cold settling upon the lungs instead of elsewhere. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 



First, there is a chill in which there is a rush of blood 
to the lungs, followed by high fever, the temperature run- 
ning up to possibly 106 ° . The pulse will run anywhere 
from 55 to 75 beats per minute and upward, depending 
upon stage of disease; it will be soft and weak. The 
breath will be hot and breathing labored and rapid; the 
number of respirations running up to 25 or 30 to the min- 
ute. The feet, legs and tips of ears are cold and hair of 
animal looks dry and dead; he stands wi:h his head down 
and his appetite is poor. By placing your ear over affected 
lung you will observe a dry crackling sound in the first 
stage of this disease, which sound changes as disease pro- 
gresses into one resembling the one heard from bending new 
sole leather. The patient is always found standing, unless 
prostrated by weakness, but when disease begins to give 
way he may lay down. A horse may live from 12 to 24 
days without treatment, but it is very important that we 
take every advantage of time in our attention to it. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Keep patient in a dry, comfortable place with fresh air 
to breathe, but always avoid a draft and allow plenty of 
good water to drink. See that bowels are kept open; 






AND LECTURES. 35' 

should they become constipated use the following as a 
purge: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Iyinseed Oil (raw) • 1 pint 

Aloes Barbadoes 6 drachms 

Mix and give at one dose and should the bowels not move 
in 12 or 14 hours repeat To reduce the fever, relieve the 
pain and regulate the heart's action, use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Aconite, Tinct of 1-2 drachm 

Opium, Tinct of 1-2 ounces 

Digitalis, Fluid Extract of .... 10 drops 
Mix and give, at one dose in a pint of warm water; repeat 
every hour until pulse runs below 50 beats per minute. 
Should pulse be running about 60 beats to the minute in 
the beginning double above dose in the first instance, but 
never afterwards, unless fever should be climbing rapidly.. 
After first day's treatment, begin and continue to use the 
following tonic: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Gentian (powdered) 2 ounces 

Sassafras Bark (powdered) .... 3 ounces 
Foenugreek Seed (powdered) . . . 1 ounce 

Potash Nitrate of 2 ounces 

Iron Sulphate of 1 and 1-2 ounce 

Mix and give one tablespoon full night and morning. 

Distemper. 

While I am willing to admit that when the morbid con- 



36 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

dition of an animal is such as to favor direct transmission 
this disease may prove infectious, yet I cannot accept the 
theory of many writers upon the subject who contend that 
it is a contagious blood disease. Its attacking and run- 
ning through an entire herd of horses is, I will admit, evi- 
dence in favor of the theory of contagion, but this is by no 
means proof positive, for in all probability every horse of 
the herd has been subjected to the same identical condi- 
tions. But no matter whether it be contagious, infectious 

or of spontaneous origin the vital fact remains that stock 
have it, and it becomes our duty to s.udy methods for get- 
ting rid of it. 

Cause — The cause of distemper is entirely problematical; 
it may arise spontaneously, and again it may be the result 
of cole 1 . One thing we do know and that is the fact of its 
being more prevalent in low damp sections of the country 
than upon higher ground. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The coat of a distempered horse is usually dry and 
uneven; he suffers from loss of appetite and is in many 
instances apparently prostrated. The pulse will be quick 
and weak and the temperature will run up to 102 ° or 103 ° . 
The feet, legs and tips of ears are cold. In two or three 
days the throat begins to swell on both sides and some- 
times between the lower jaws; this swelling is in some 
cases enormous, causing sufferer to hold his head and 
neck stretched like a child with mumps. There is usually 
a cough and inability to swallow, with a discharge from 
the nose which takes on a purulent character in a very 



AND LECTURES. 37 

few days. The eyes are weak and watery. The swelling 
referred to is painful and sore upon pressure being applied, 
and in most cases it breaks within a week or ten days 
discharging pus If the lungs should become involved we 
will by ausculta'ion distinguish a wheezing sound. 

WHAT TO do. 

Keep the patient as comfortable as possible and use the 
following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Alum (powdered) ........ 2 ounces 

Blood Root (powdered) 1 ounce 

Gentian (powdered) 1 ounce 

Mix well and divide into 5 powders, give one the first 
night, skip the second day entirely, on the third day give 
one morning and night, skip the fourth day and give one 
each on night of the fifth and sixth days successively. 
Bathe the throat of patient thoroughly witht his liniment: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Turpentine Spirits of 3 ounces 

Camphor Gum 2 drachms 

Cedar, Oil of '1-2 ounce 

Ammonia, water of 1-2 ounce 

Water, add sufficient for 6 ounces 

Mix and apply to throat 2 or 3 times a day, and should it 
seem to blister, grease with hog lard, If abscess 
forms and there is an indication of pus in the tissues of the 
throat make an incision directly over abscess and in line 
with the hair about a half inch deep and one and a half 



38 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

inches long, this is generally sufficient to reach the pus. 
Cleanse wound thoroughly three times a day with carbol- 
ized water and give in connection with other treatment the 
general tonic recommended in laryngitis Should the 
lungs become involved and the pulse run as high as 55 or 
60 beats per minute, give the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Opium, Tinct of 1 ounce 

Aconite, Tinct of ... . . , . 1 drachm 
Belladonna, Fluid Extract of ... 2 drachms 

Niter, Spirits of 1 and 1-2 ounces 

Water, add sufficienty quantity . . 4 ounces 
Mix and give two tablespoonsfull every hour until pulse 
comes down to 50 beats to the minute, then discontinue. 
See that bowels of patient are kept open; if they are in the 
least castive use purge recommended in case of pneumonia. 

Heaves. 

This is one of the most dreaded diseases with which 
stock are afflicted. To understand why this is so we have 
but to turn our attention to the lungs for a moment to be 
able to see why it is that nature, s herculean efforts as well 
as our own feeble ones fail to relieve it. The lungs are 
composed of tissues fibrous in character and innumerable 
small air cells; the tissues are endowed to a very great 
extent with the properties of elasticity and contractility. 
By virtue of these peculiar properties the tissues of the 
lungs are capable in a great measure of expelling air from 
and drawing it into them without any effort upon the part 



AND LKCTURES. 39 

of an animal. Sometimes many of these small air cells are 
ruptured, larger ones being thus formed by reason of the 
fact that they break into each other. When this happens 
that portion of the lung involved loses largely its power of 
involuntary contraction; in this event the diaphragm, ribs 
and abdominal muscles are brought into play in expelling 
air from the lungs, the exercise of these giving rise to the 
twitching seen in the flanks. 

Cause — It is sometimes produced by driving rapidly in 
the face of heavy wind, particularly when the horse is not 
in condition to stand it, and it may be brought on by 
exercisiug too freely when the stomach of the animal is too 
full of bulky food to allow free expansion of the lungs. 
Again it may be caused by too violent exercise when the 
lungs are weak from cold, a severe spell of sickness or 
where the horse has been fed on dusty or smutty food. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There will be a deep cough, and instead of the regular, 
easy breathing there will be a twitching of the muscles of 
the flanks or a kind of secondary effort upon their part at 
every respiratory act. The nostrils will be distended, and 
by ausculation we observe a popping, crushing sound. 
When this sound is heard we can not be mistaken, for it is 
present in no other disease An animal thus affected will 
have no food, the pulse will run a little above normal, how- 
ever. If you are buying or trading for a horse that you 
have any reason to suspicion is one that the heaves have 
been "shut down" upon, (as the jockeys call it) I would 
advise that you examine his lungs and under no circum- 



4° PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

stances buy or trade for him if this popping, crushing 
sound be present, unless you naturally wish to possess an 
animal with this malady, The cough and hard breathing 
can be gotten rid of for a short time, but no jockey can rob 
a horse for a minute of the above sound when he has the 
heaves. 



WHAT TO DO. 

A well devoloped case of the heaves can not be cured, 
but can be helped by careful feeding. Always feed with a 
view to getting the greatest amount of nourishment from 
the smallest amount in weight and bulk of food, and be 
sure to dampen every particle of dry food the patient gets 
If grass in pastures be green and growing it is a good 
idea to allow free range, but if grass be dead this is 
not a good plan. Allow no access to stalk-fields at any 
time To relieve the cough and improve the general health 
the following can be used with benefit: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Lobelia Seed (powdered) 2 ounces 

Blood Root . , ounce 

Gentian i ounce 

Linseed Meal ... 2 ounces 

Mix and divide into 12 powders, give one night and 
morning. After giving these, rest for a week or ten days 
rest and repeat. Heaves in the first stage can be cured. 
We recognize the first stage by the presence of every symp- 
tom of a well developed case aside from the popping, crush- 
ing sound. When this peculiar sound is absent we can 



ANTJ LECTURES. 4 I 

rest assured that the air cells have not been ruptured, and 
we may effect a cure if we will but treat the patient right 
and employ the following in the way of internal treatment: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Aloes Barbadoes i 1-2 ounces 

Potash, Chlorate of 2 ounces 

Potash, Nitrate of 2 ounces 

Tartar Emetic 6 drachms 

Nux Vomica (powdered) .... 3 drachms 

Gentian 4 drachms 

Mix and divide into 12 powders and give one a day. 

Dampen all feed and under no circumstances must patient 

be exercised severely. 

In some states it is a violation of the law to tamper with 
the heaves for trading purposes, and it should be. I do 
not give the following with the intention of assisting any 
one in an illegitimate practice, but as a means of protec- 
tion, I merely let the reader kaow how they are usually 
"shut down." About ten grains of extract of Stramonium 
wrapped around the bits in a piece of cloth will stop heav- 
ing of flanks and cough and have animal ready for trade in 
ten or fifteen minutes; this does not stop the characteristic 
sound of heaves observed in the chest. An animal should 
not be exercised very much, nor allowed to get too hot, or 
drink too much water for several hours after Stramonium 
has been used. 

Congestion of the Lungs. 

Congestion of the lungs is not very common in the horse, 



42 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

but nevertheless we occasionally run across it in this ani- 
mal. It is simply a turgescent state of the tissues of the 
lungs produced by stagnation of the capillary blood ves- 
sels. Under favorable conditions this disease improves 
readily and total recovery is the result, but in some in- 
stances inflammation of the tissues of the lungs takes place, 
resulting in pneumonia. 

Cause — Over exertion when animal is not in condition to 
stand it. The blood being rich or overloaded with fatty 
products, or the patient's being in too heavy flesh may be 
the cause of the congestion, and again the trouble may arise 
out of a weak pair of lungs, made so by a spe'l of sickness 
or otherwise. This trouble has been brought on by driv- 
ing too fast and too long when horse has not taken exer- 
cise for a week or two. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The horse suddenly stops all out of breath, his nostrils 
are distended and his countenance has a look of profound 
anxiety upon it; he looks around as if in search of fresh 
air and paws the ground. The pnlse is small and quick 
and in the first stage there will be little or no fever. 

WHAT TO DO. 
L,et patient stop if traveling and turn head towards the 
wind; loosen any part of the harness which may in the 
least interfere with the breathing. It is a very good plan 
to bleed in the mouth about the first or second bar. Allow 
animal thus affected cold water to drink, but in very small 
quantities at a time. Use the following 



AND LECTURES 43 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Aconite, Tincture of 1 drachm 

Belladonna, Fluid Extract of . . 2 drachms 

Water, q s. ad 4 ounces 

Mix and give one tablespoonful every two hours until 
breathing is better, and pulse is down in the neighborhood 
of 45 beats per minute. If congestion does not yield to 
this treatment, look out for a case of pneumonia and adopt 
without delay treatment prescribed in it and apply it vigor- 
ously. The approach of pneumonia will be indicated by a 
rise in temperature, which, if it goes to 101 1-2, and breath- 
ing continues to be labored you may know without any 
guess work what the trouble is. 

Pleuresy. 

The lining of the chest and covering of the lungs are 
serous membranes or sacks which iaclose the lungs, and 
protect them from friction with any other portion of the 
chest or frame work of the body by means of the serous 
slipery secretion which comes from these membranes and 
lubricates, as it were, the lungs proper. These membranes 
are called the Pleura, and any innamation of them is called 
Pleurisy, which disease is usually attended by great pain, 
and is often followed by hydrothorax, or filling of the chest 
with water. Pleurisy may exist alone, or in combination 
with pneumonia. When it appears in combination we call 
it Pleuro-Pneumonia. 

Cause — Sudden exposure to cold rains and the like. A 
draft in the stable, especially if the horse comes in warm, 
or any shock in the way of a quick change when the ani- 
mal has any tendency whatever to take cold. 



44 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTION^ 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The horse generally has a chill which is followed by- 
high fever and great pain in the chest, which pain is evi- 
denced by the animal acting as if he had colicky pains; 
he has his nose turned around to his side; the ears and 
legs are cold and the breathing is hard. The elbows of 
the patient are turned in and he suffers from loss of appe- 
tite. Great pain is evidenced upon pressure with the fin- 
gers between the ribs. The temperature will run from 
103 ° to [05 ° and pulse will make from 55 to 75 beats per 
minute. In placing the ear to the chest a rough dry 
sound is observed. If recovery takes place it is usually in 
3 or 4 days, and should the pleurisy run longer there is an 
elusion and the chest begins to fill with water. If chest 
does not fill more than one third full the effusion may be 
absorbed and patient recover. When there is water in the 
chest we hear a sound like slashing water in a pail, upon 
placing our ear over affected lung. 

WHAT TO DO. 

If chill is observed and pleurisy is suspected, blanket 
animal well and keep him in doors. Give the following at 
once: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Brandy 4 ounces 

Ginger, Tinct of 1 drachm 

Mix and give at one dose in a pint of warm water and fol- 
low in an hour with: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Niter, Spirits of 1 and 1-2 ounces 



AND LECTURES. 45 

Gentian, Ti'nct of i ounce 

Potash, Nitrate of i ounce 

Ammonia, Muriate of i ounce 

Belladonna, Fluid Extract of ... i drachm 

Aconite, Tinct of 2 drachms 

Water, add sufficient quantity . . . . 1 pint 
Mix and give two tablespoonsfull at a dose every 2 or 3 
hours as indicated. Should the pulse be above 60 beats 
to the miuute in the beginning, double the above dose in 
the first instance. Feed lightly but put a pale of water by 
and allow patient to drink when he likes. Bathe affected 
side thoroughly with: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Turpentine 2 ounces 

Camphor Gum 2 drachms 

Sassafras, Oil of 1 drachm 

Alcohol, add sufficient quantity . . 3 ounces 
Mix and apply, repeat application in 6 hours and then 
grease When fever is broken and pulse is running below 
50 beats a minute discontinue fever mixture and begin 
with the following tonic and blood purifier: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Sulphur 3 ounces 

Mustard (ground) 4 ounces 

Blood Root (powdered) . . 1 and 1-2 ounces 

Gentian (powdered) 1 ounce 

Sassafras Bark (powdered) .... 2 ounces 
Foenugreek (powdered) 1 ounce 



46 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Mix and give one tablespoonfull once a day. Should 
there be an effusion put fly blister on parts directly over 
lung involved. 

Chronic Cough. 

A trouble of this character among stock is quite common 
in the United States and is of much more frequent occur- 
rence in animals which have but little or no advantages in 
the way of pasture than where they have free range upon 
either prairie or meadow. 

Cause — The cause of this trouble is largely a matter of 
jo. jecture but it is reasonable to suppose that it is brought 
about through an inflammatory condition of either the lar- 
yax-or bronchial tubes, these being constantly irritated and 
kept in this condition by the presence of dust in the feed 
or atmosphere. Some writers claim a id I am not prepared 
to refute it, that these coughs are sometimes brought on by 
neglect and improper treatm°nt of catarrh and distemper. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The cough is recognized as being dry, husky and hack- 
ing. Where in health it is strong and fnll and usually fol- 
lowed by a sneeze to clear the nose. It may be that the 
animal thus affected will cough but little at a time, and 
again he may have a spell of coughing lasting several min- 
utes, followed shortly by another spell of like character. 
This cough can in some cases be brought on by pinching 
the larynx, and in others speeding of the animal is neces- 
sary to develop it. 



AND LECTURES. 47 

WHAT TO DO. . 

A chronic cough of long standing is incurable, but most 
cases can be benefitted, and in the beginning of disease, 
cured by the following 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Cedar, Oil of 2 ounces 

Ether, ^ulphuric 1 1-2 ounces 

Sassafras, Oil of 4 ounces 

Ammonia, Water of 1-2 ounce 

Camphor Gum 3 drachms 

Alcohol, q s ad 1 pint 

Mix and apply to throat, rubbing it in well from ear to 
ear. Give internally the following 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Camphor Gum i 1-2 ounces 

Digitalis, (Powdered) 1 ounce 

Linseed Meal 2 ounces 

Gentian, (Powdered) 1 ounce 

Mix and divide into 12 powders, give one of these nigh 

and morning, and should this fail to relieve patient try 

this 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Balsam Fir 2 ounces 

Balsam Copaiba 2 ounces 

Lobelia, Tincture of 1-2 ounce. 

Mix and give one tablespoonful night and morning. 



48 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Some authors recommend a mechanical counte-irretant 
in the way of the old-fashion Seton inserted under the skin 
of the throat, but I consider this of doubtful worth. 

Just here I desire to add a word of wholesome advice. 
Do not under any circumstances attempt to hold a horse's 
head up and drench him when he has a cough. The best 
plan when liquids are used is to throw them into the throat 
with a syringe. 







CHAPTER IV. 

DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 

In this connection we purpose studying all of these im- 
portant troubles which arise in the alimentary canal from 
the stomach backward; we will no doubt treat some affec- 
tions in this chapter which it might seem right and proper 
to consider elsewhere in this work, but if the reader will 
think for only a moment he must realize that those which 
seem out of place (like rupture of the diaphragm, etc.,) 
are a direct result of some trouble along the alimentary 
canal. This chapter, the writer feels, will prove of much 
value to every reader, for in it we will consider some of 
the most common and yet most important diseases to which 
stock are liable. 

Gastritis. 

This is an inflammation of the stomach, and though by 
no means common, yet it is of sufficient occurrrence to 
demand our attention. 

Cause — It is caused by over-eating in most instances, 
and occasionally from eating poisonous herbs. 



50 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

Upon examination we will find some of the symptoms of 
wind colic present. A horse thus affected will lay down, 
but will roll but very 'little if any, usually remaining very 
quiet. The food not being digested rapidly enough] decom- 
position sets in and leads to some swelling in the bowels; 
the pulse will be soft and jerky at times and the patient is 
not likely to have any'fever. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Give a complete change of food and if "in season allow 
patient to run on grass, otherwise give'as^soft food as pos- 
sible and use this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Ginger Extract of i ounce 

Gentian, Tincture of i drachm 

linseed Oil i pint 

Mix and give at one dose, and repeat 'fin 4 hours if patient 
is not relieved. ~ If there seems to be much pain give with 
the above this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Morphine Sulphate 3 grains 

Water, q. s ad 1-2 pint 

Mix'and give at one dose and repeat every 30 minutes 
until patient seems easier. When attack is passed use the 
following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Iron, Sulpha' e of 1 and 1-2 ounces 

Potash, Nitrate of 2 ounces 



AND LECTURES. 5 I 

Foenugreek, Powdered 1-2 ounce 

Mix and divide into 12 powders, and give one morning, 
noon and night. 

Stomach Staggers. 

This is a very pecuilar condition, but it is simply an 
acute attack of indigestion in which fermentation sets up 
in the stomach. 

Cause — Overloading the stomach. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The patient is usually found standing in a kind of stupor 
or asleep, and perfectly quiet; he is without appetite for 
either food or drink. The pulse will be very soft and it 
will not run very high for 10 or 15 hours. The tempera- 
ture will be found anywhere from 102 ° to 104 ° , and pa- 
tient will stand with his head down all the~time. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Remove from food of any kind and sit a pail of water by. 
Give the following as a purge: 

PRESCRIPTION 

linseed Oil (raw) 1 pint 

Aloes Barbadoes 4 drachms 

Nux Vomica, Tincture of . . • . . 1 drachm 
Mix and give at one dose, and repeat in 8 hours if bowels 
have not moved freely. After the second dose give injec- 
tions of warm water every hour until you get the desired 
action. If after the bowels move the temperature should 
run as high as 103 ° , use this: 



52 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

PRESCRIPTION 

Aconite, Tincture of i drachm 

Belladonna, Fluid Extract of . . 2 drachms 

Niter, Spirits of = . . 2 ounces 

Water, q. s ad 4 ounces 

Mix and give one tdbleSpoonful every hour until fever is 
reduced. After bowels have acted and fever has subsided, 
commence the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Iron, Sulphate of 2 ounces 

Cinchona Bark 2 ounces 

Mix and divide into 12 powders, and give one night and 
morning. Feed light and exercise but little for some 
time. 

Indigestion. 

This trouble seldom occurs in the horse, but we some- 
times run across a case of it. 

Cause — High feeding is commonly the cause, but bad 
teeth which interfere with mastication may produce it. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The coat is rough, 
dry and staring, the 
horse will be thin and 
present a generally un- 
th.tifty appearance The 
dung is of a peculiar yel- 
lowish color and offen- 
sive smell. The appe- 
;enerally indifferent, but in some instances is raven- 




AND LECTURES. 53 

ous for a moment then it is all over and he leaves the re- 
mainder of his feed or merely nibbles at it. 

WHAT TO DO 

If caused from a bad tooth, extract it, and if from high 
feeding, give a complete change of food. A good treat- 
ment is to give purge same as in pneumonia, and foil 
with tonic powders recommended in laryngitis. 

Bots. 

We find "bots in every horse from start to finish, and in- 
stead of proving harmful as many would think, it would 
be impossible for a horse to live without their presence in 
the stomach; as nature provides for these little worms so is 
she able to care for them. But there is a worm hatchet 
sometimes in the stomach of the horse from the egg of a 
"gad-fly" or "nit-fly," which, when passed by the horse, 
is taken for a bot; these resemble bots very much, but a 
comparison of the two will demonstrate a difference You 
may take the worm from the egg of a "gad-fly," place it 
in a bottle, and inside of twelve days it develops into a 
perfect "gad-fly," where a bot similarly placed is at the 
end of twelve months still a bot. As before stated all 
horses have bots, but these are not the cause of the mutil- 
ated condition of the stomach, which we find soon after the 
death of a horse, this condition being brought about by the 
action of the gastric juice — in fact it is a kind of self diges- 
tion of the stomach by itself. Bots never have killed a 
horse and I would advise that you be not guilty of giving 
bot remedies for you can put nothing in the stomach that 



54 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

will kill a^bot without killing the horse. A bot will live 
fifteen minutes in turpentine or strong tobacco juice anp 
from eight to ten minutes in carbolic acid. When you see 
a horse~rolling or giving forth any of the signs of disease, 
study] the symptoms to the end that you may learn what 
the trouble'is, f always remembering to let the bots take care 
of themselves. In may cases the trouble is billious colic 
instead of "b.tr.," this being a very common mistake — in 
fact the most common one in this connection. 

Bilk'us Colic. 
A colic of lliis kind is quite differ) ut to the others, and 
possibly ought to be studied under the head of diseases of 
the liver, but owing to the fact that many make the mis- 
take of say ;,, g a horse has the "bots," when bilious colic 
is the troubli E J ] 'rm it proper to consider it here. 

Citvse-— ■.•'?> a wnnt of functionol activity on the 

par v the 1*>er. tHp* is 'h- liver fails to perform its part of 
work : n th p economy of »he animal. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The patient gets down and rolls, throws his head around 
to his side, turns up his upper lip and shows by his every 

act that he is suffering from 
pain in either stomach or 
bowels and probably both. 
The pulse will b at hard 
&• and regular, and there will 
be no swelling in the flanks. 
This is the only disease with no swelling in the flanks in 
which the pulse is hard and regular. 







AND LECTURES 55 

WHAT TO DO. 

Ill most instances this condition is easy to relieve When 
first symptoms are noticed use this 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Chloroform 2 drachms 

Cloves, Oil of 10 drops 

Syrup, Simple 4 ounces 

Mix and give at one dose, iu a pint of warm water or sweet 
milk; repeat every half hour until patient shows no sign 
of pain After pain is relieved administer the following as 
a purge: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Linseed Oil 1 pint 

Aloes Barbadoes . 3 drachms 

Calomel 6 grains 

Mix and give at one dose and patient will be all right in a 
few days. Remember when a case of this kind has been 
cured that it was bilious colic and not "bots " 

Spasmodic Colic. 

Thi term colic means a pain in the abdomen. Any kind 

of colic is dangerous from the 
f..ct that it may resul in in- 
flammation of . the bowels, 
' which trouble is very fatal, 
though not necessar ly so. 
Spasmodic colic is so calkd 
on account of the spasmodic 




56 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

contraction ot the muscular coats of the stomach and 
intestines. 

Cause — Often the cause is exercising a horse until he is 
warm and allowing him to cool too quickly. Sometimes a 
horse is exercised until he is very warm, and as a matter 
of fact he is very thirsty, then under these circumstances 
he drinks excessively if permitted to do so; this causes a 
sudden contraction of the muscles of the st(mcch, &nd 
Spasmodic Colic is the result. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

In the first stage the patient will appear uneasy and will 
be noticed looking around; he will stand first upon one 
foot and then upon the othe", quit his feed if eating and 
walk around as though he was going to lay down. In the 
second stage he drops down suddenly showing signs of the 
great pain he is in; he rolls very violently and gets up and 
down very often. There will be periods of reliefi n which 
the horse will be quite free from pain, but they are fleet- 
ing. A horse exercises himself more with this disease 
than with any other. When symptoms have been noted 
diagnosis can be verified by the pulse, We~find two hard 
beats of it and then a fluttering fluctuation. When this is 
found we can be sure of Spasmodic Colic, for no other 
disease presents this fluctuation of the pulse. We can not 
always go by the way a horse acts, for where there is any 
pain (no matter as to i^s character) in either stomach or 
bowels, he will roll more or less. 






AND LECTURES. 57 

WHAT TO DO. 

If the pulse is under 60 and above 50 beats per minute, 
use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Chloroform 1 drachm 

Ether, Sulphuric 1-2 ounce 

Opium, Tincture of 1-2 ounce 

Canibus Indicus, Fluid Ext. of . . 10 drops 
Mix and give at one dose in a half pint of warm water; 
repeat this every half hour until pulse is on a stand still or 
inclined to come down Should the pulse run over 60 and 
under 75 beats a minute, double the above dose in the first 
instance, but never afterward unless pulse should increase 
rapidly. If the pulse should run tbove 75 beats to the 
minute give 3 times the amount prescribed in the begin- 
ning and then drop back to original prescription Allow 
patient a few days rest and be careful in feeding to insure 
best results. 

Flatulent or Wind Colic. 

This is the most dangerous and fatal of all diseases to 
which stock are liable. From this fact it ought to com- 
mand our close and careful attention. It is not very pre- 
valent; possibly if it was we would become better acquaint- 
ed with it, and more accomplished in handling it 

Cause — We might say the primary cause of this trouble 
is indigestion, the food fermenting in the stomach. It is 
in most instances brought about by exercising a horse 
immediately after a heavy feed of com has been eaten, the 
active exercise retarding or entirely interrupting digestion, 



58 -p-rtvate prescriptions 

and the moment digestion stops decomposition sets in and 
the evolution of gases begins As before stated this is a 
very fatal malady. It lasts from two to twelve hours. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The patient gets down and rolls, but not so much as in 
Spasmodic Colic By the time the pulse reaches 45 or 50 
beats per minute the horse will begin to swell in the flanks 
The pulse will be hard and re^ul \r all the time, (by regu- 
lar we mean without any fluctuation ) This is the only 
disease where there is swelling of the flanks in which the 
pulse is hard and regular all the time, so there is no room 
for mistake If a rupture of the stomach or diaphragm 
should take place the pulse will get weak and small and 
patient will sit on his haunches like a dog. 

WHAT TO DO. 

When first signs of flatulent colic are observed should 
the pulse reach 50 beat^ per minute give the following: 

PRESCRIPTION 

Soda Bi-carbonate of . 1 ounce 

Peppeiment, Tincture of 1 drachm 

Opium, Tine lire of 3 drachms 

Mix and give at one dose in a pint of warm water, and 
repeat every 30 minutes until pulse is on a stand still or 
shows a disposition to come down Should pulse be above 
60 beats a minu e doub 1 e above dose and should it be 
above 75 thribble but only in the first instance. This is 



AND LECTURES. 59 

the only disease which has a limitation to the pulse. When 
it reaches 85 beats a minute the patient has only 15 or 20 
minutes to live unless we can give immediate relief. When 
pulse reaches 85 beats per minute we have but one re- 
source left and that is to tap sufferer on the left side half 
way between the end of the last short rib and the point of 
the hip. It is very dangerous to tsp a horse before pulse 
reaches 85 beats per minute for the colon has not reached 
the diaphragm. Experts may tap on the right side, but I 
would not advise inexperienced hands to try it In tap- 
ping use a knife with a blade about a half inch wide and 
about two and a half inches long. After incision is made 
introduce a trocar or quill to permit the escape of gases. 

Rupture of the Stomaxh or Diaphragm. 

Either of these may occur in violent cases of wind colic 
and both are fatal, this being the case we simply gfve 
causes and how to know it, without any treatment. 

Cause — In mostcases this trouble is brought on by ex- 
cessive generation of gases in wind colic, these gases dis- 
tending the stomach beyond its capacity, thus producing a 
rupture, or else forcing the colon up against and through 
the diaphragm. In rupture of the stomach the partially 
digested fool and gastric juices are turned loose in the ab- 
dominal cavity, where in rupture of the diaphragm the in- 
testines are permitted t » pass into the chest among the 
lungs and heart. Sometimes these ruptures are the result 
of violent kicks or b-ows about the abdomen, and again 
from animal falling when stomach is fall of food. 



6o PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The patient will sit on his haunches like a dog, his nos- 
trils will be distended and his breathing labored, he will 
turn up his lip as though his stomach was nauseated, and 
appear as if trying to vomit, but this he can not do on ac- 
count of the peculiar formation of the stomach. The mus- 
cles of the legs will tremble and shake as if he 
was having a chill, his legs get cold and cold sweat breaks 
out in spots upon him The pulse is very small and fast, 
and when it passes 85 beats per minute, death soon claims 
the patient. 

Constipation. 

When fecal matter in the intestines becomes dry and 
hard or from any cause resists the paristaltic efforts of the 
bowels to pass it on, or when paristaltic action is interfered 
with or suspended for a time and the fecal matter lays quiet 
in one place, theie is to all intents and purposes an ob- 
struction formed. This condition is called constipation or 
costiveness. 

Cause — It is due to a drying and hardening of matter in 
the bowels, which is brought about by there being an in- 
sufficient quantity of water present, this state being pro- 
duced by most of the water going to the kidneys, or horse 
not drinking enough. Again the cause may be from the 
liver and other glands not secreting enough of the typical 
juices necessary to supply nature's wants in the bowels. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

But little if any fecal matter will be passed, that, which 






AND LECTURES. 6 1 

is, will be dry and hard and will emit an extraordinarily 
bad odor. The patient will show signs of having some 
colicky pains, which will be mild in the beginning; he 
may continue to eat and appear all right otherwise, but as 
trouble runs on pains will become more frequent and more 
severe, resulting in inflammation of the bowels, if not at- 
tended to. In constipation the pulse is full and regular, 
generally. 

WHAT TO DO. 

If the pulse is not above 50 beats a minute, and colicky 
pains are not frequent give an injection of warm soap suds 
by way of the rectum and give internally this 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Linseed Oil 1 pint 

Nux Vomica, Tincture of . . . . 2 drachms 

Aloes Barbadoes 3 drachms 

Mix and give at one dose and repeat in 8 hours if bow- 
els have not moved. Keep up injections every hour 
with this until free action is obtained. Should pulse mn 
as high as 60 beats to the minute and pains be of frequent 
occurrence use the following for relief: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Morphine, Sulphate of 2 grains 

Opium, Tincture of ....... 1-2 ounce 

Aconite, Tincture of 20 drops 

Mix and give at one dose in a pint of warm water, and re- 
peat every hour so long as indicated. 



62 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Diarrhoea. 

This is a watery discharge from the bowels a d repr - 
sents the very opposite of constipation. 

Cause — T t is often induced by the animal eating green or 
watery food in large quantities, and sometimes it is due to 
the presence of an irritant in the bowels which produces 
excessive secretion of the intestinal j tikes. It may be 
brought about by the administration of large doses of pur- 
gative medicines, when it is we call it superpurgatiou 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is a watery discharge from the bowels, the patient 
becoming weak after this condition has prevailed for a 
time The pulse will be found feeble and weak, and the 
eyes and nose pale; the patient grinds his ^eeth and refuses 
his feed. The temperature of the body will, in all proba- 
bility be in the region of 95 ° ; should it ran as low as 92 ° 
there is a strong possibility of this trouble proving fatal. 

WHAT TO DO. 

If the cause of trouble be watery or green feed give a 
complete change of diet and use this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Alum (powdered) 2 ounces 

Opium (powdered) 2 drachms 

Mix and give one tablespoon full every 2 hours until four 
doses have been given If this does not give relief in due 
time we can take it for granted that one of the latter causes 
is present or else we have a very obstinate case, and it 
becomes necessary to change our treatment to this: 



AND LECTURES. 63 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Chalk, Precipitated 1 ounce 

Ginger (ground) 12 ounce 

Opium (powdered) .1 drachm 

Ether Sulphuric 1 drachm 

Starch water 1 pint 

Mix and give at one dose, and repsat in 3 hours if neces- 
sary. Give starch or flour water to drink, but in small 
quantities and 3 or 4 hours apart 

Dysentery. 

This di ease is very uncommon in the horse; it is what 
we sometimes call "bloody flux," and is inflammatory in 
character, affecting the large intestines. 

Cause — it is produced by the animal eating glasses from 
low lands which are unfit for food, or poor food of any 
kind, and hard work may be the canse. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

It begins as a case of diarrhoea in most instances, the 
beces becoming bloody in appearence an i it may be that 
shreds of the mucous membrane of the bowels will be pass- 
ed. The patient will have some fever and appear greatly 
prostrated; the pulse will be quick and irritable and thirst 
will be intense. There will be frequent an 1 painful evac- 
uation, which will increase in number and violence as 
disease progresses, the fecal matters passed being very 
offensive. 

WHAT TO do. 
Place patient in a warm and dry, but well ventilated 






64 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

stall and blanket; give starch or flour water in small quan- 
tities and food that is light and easily digested. Medicin- 
ally use this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Castor Oil 8 ounces 

Opium, Tincture of i ounce 

Mix and give at one dose In 3 or 4 hours begin the fol- 
lowing: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Alum (powdered) 1-2 ounce 

Opium (powdered) 2 drachms 

Chalk (precipitated) 3 ounces 

Potash, Nitrate of 1 ounce 

Mix and divide into 5 powders, and give one every 2 or 3 

hours as indicated. 

Svipergation. 

This condition is the result of the administration of a 
physic and occurs sometimes when every reasonable pre- 
caution has been taken to avoid it. 

Cause — Too large a dose of physic, driving a horse 
when purging or giving large quantities of cold water 
while physic is operating 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

When purgative medicine has been given and horse 
presents the symptoms which are attendant in diarrhoea, 
you may rest assured that he is suffering from an over- 
purge. 



AND LECTURES. 65 

WHAT TO DO. 

Treat as you would a simple case of diarrhoea. 

Gut Tie. 

In the human family this trouble is known as Invagina- 
tion or Intussusception; it is the falling or slipping of one 
gut or portion of it into another. It is rather uncommon 
in horses, but several cases have come under the observa- 
tion of the water. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

First we find that patient has the symptoms commonly 
found in bowel troubles; colicky pains are present, but 
they come on gradually; he looks around at his side, paws 
the earth and stretches out at fall length; he lays down, but 
does not roll much and ge's up and down very often. The 
pulse rises from 50 to 80 beats per minute and will be hard 
and weary The legs get cold and cold sweat breaks out 
by the time pulse reaches 70 beats a minute; after this the 
the pulse is small and hard, the muscles tremble and death 
soon follows. 

WHAT TO DO. 

If the pulse should run as high as 50 beats per minute 
and patient should have any colicky pains when first 
symptoms are noticed, give him this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Linseed Oil = 2 pints 

Aloes Barbadoes 3 drachms 

Nux Vomica, Tincture of ... . 1-2 ounce 
Mix and give at one dose and give injections into the 



66 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

rectum of warm water every hour. Use hot water rugs ou 
the belly. If there is no apparent relief in 2 Hours use 
this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Chloroform 3 drachms 

Aconite, Tincture of 20 drops 

Iyinseed Oil 1-2 pint 

Mix and give at one dose, and repeat every hour until the 
third dose has been given Should patient appear thirsty 
give him all the water he wishes. 

Inflammation of the Bowels. 

This is a disease which prevails at all seasons of the 
year and in every section of country; it is often mistaken 
for Colic. 

Cause — In looking for a cause we find several things 
which produce a condition of this kind It may be caused 
by another disease and a change of food may produce it, 
particularly from dry to green, or allowing too much green 
feed when animal is not accustomed to it. Feeding upon 
grain and driving hard immediately afterwards is conduc- 
ive to such a condition The horse catching cold is in 
some instances the cause. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

When first taken the patient does not seem to be in 
much pain; he lies down and stretches out upon the 
ground, but does not roll much in the first stage. As the 
pulse goes up to 60 beats a minute and above, the pains 
get harder and he rolls more. The pulse is the only 
means through which we can definitely distinguish this 



And lectures. 67 

trouble from colic In inflammation of the bowels the 
pulse gives forth two hard beats and a soft or intermediate 
beat; (see colics. ) This is the only disease which pre- 
sents this character of pulse — hence we can not be mis- 
taken. 

WHAT TO do. 
Give the following internally: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Opium, Tincture of 3 drachms 

Digitalis, Fluid Ext. of 6 drops 

Aconite, Fluid Ext. of 15 drops 

Water, q s. ad. « 6 ounces 

Mix and give at one dose and repeat every hour until pulse 
is on a a stand still, or inclined to come down. Should 
the pulse run over 60 beats a minute the above dose should 
be doubled in the first instance, but never afterward. 

Intestinal Worms. 

I 

Innumerable kinds of worms are at times found in the 

I intestines of horses, some being of little moment while 
i 
others prove very injurious to the health of the animal 

1 harboring them. The treatment for all worms being the 
I same we will do nothing more than to give the reader the 
symptoms and remedies, so as that he may detect the pres- 
ence of them and employ the proper treatment. 




68 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

HOW TO KNOW WHEN THEY ARE PRESENT. 

A horse suffering from worms generally presents a "pot 

gutted" appearance, has a 
ravenous appetite usually, 
and a very dry, staring 
coat; he is in poor condition, 
hide bound, and is particu- 
larly fond of salt. There 
will be switching of the tail 
knd frequent evacuations with 
some straining, and the af- 
flicted animal will oft:n rub his rump against the fence or 
stall, and will sometimes pass worms in his dung. 

WHAT TO DO. 

In case of worms, the following has aLvays proven ef- 
fectual with the writer: 

PRESCRIPTION 

Iron, Sulphate of i drachm 

Tartar Kmetic . . i drachm 

Sage (pulverized) 3 drachms 

Mix and give at a dose 3 times a day for 4 days, and then 

give this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Turpentine 3 drachms 

Iyinseed Oil , . . 1 pint 

Mix and give at one dose, and follow with a good tonic for 

several days. 



CHAPTER V. 
DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 

Many diseases of these organs are quite common, and 
they are of equal importance in so far as the health of a 
horse is concerned with any of his many afflictions in ohter 
ways. Disease of the urinary organs is very much more 
common where stock do not have free range than where 
they have it. This can be accounted for in only one way, 
and that is through the theory that an animal has a kind 
of instinct or peculiar intelligence, which teaches him how 
to "doctor" himself if he can but get at the various grasses 
and herbs, which contain the medicinal properties he needs 
in effecting a cure or warding off disease. If the reader 
will but study carefully the diseases treated under this 
head he will never be caught dosing a horse for colic or 
pleurisy, when the trouble is in either the kidneys or 
bladder. 

Inflammation of the Kidneys. 

This trouble should always have our close attention from 
the fact that it is very deceptive in its actions; sometimes we 
may think a horse on the high road to recovery with this 
disease and he will lie down and die in thirty minutes 

Cause — The most common cause is from the use of very 
strong medicines when not indicated. Bating faulty food 



70 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

is a cause, and standing where water can drip on the loins 
sometimes produces it. Indigestion or any derangement 
of the digestive organs may be the cause. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The patient will get down and roll as if he had the colic, 
but does not seem to be in much pain until the pulse reaches 
50 or 55 beats per minute, when he rolls he exhibits an in- 
clination to stop on his back, this is from the fact that the 
pressure of the bowels against the kidneys gives him some 
relief. By exerting pressure over the kidneys the patient 
will kinder flinch or give way, demonstrating that sore- 
ness is present, anl he will stretch out as though he de- 
sired to urinate The pulse will be found soft and regular. 

WHAT TO DO. 

First make sure of your diagnosis and then proceed with 
the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

lyinseed Oil 1 pint 

Aloes Barbadoes 3 drachms 

Nux Vomica, Tincture of ... . 1 drachm 

Mix and give at one dose and in thirty minutes begin 

this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Opium, Tincture of 1-2 ounce 

Nitre, Spirits of 1-2 ounce 

Cubebs, Oil of 1-2 drachm 

Aconite, Tincture of 20 drops 

Mix and and give at one dose in a pint of warm water and 






and lectures. 71 

repeat every every 40 minutes until pulse goes below 55 
beats a minute, after this give it every hour if indicated. 
Givepatient several days' rest. 

Congestion of the Kidneys. 

This is a condition in which there is an excessive flow 
of blood to the kidneys, and in most instances it results in 
inflammation of these organs. 

Cause — Any interference with the working of the kid- 
neys may produce it. A common cause is the blood being 
heavily charge 1 with fats, but it is by no means necessary 
that a horse must be fat in order to have this trouble High 
fee .ing without sufficient exercise is a very prolific cause. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

If horse is being worked the first sign we notice is the 
apparent stiffening of one of his hind legs, the other soon 
presenting the same peculiarity The patient breathes 
hard, staggers, seems very weak in the loins and finally 
drops down If he is able to pass any urine at 
all it is thick and ropy and has a dark 
coffee color. There will be swelling over the kidneys 
and p itient will show signs of great pain when pressure is 
exerted upon them. There will be some colicky pains; 
the pulse will be strong and hard until it gets in the neigh- 
borhood of 80 beats a minute; when it becomes small and 
feeble. 

WHAT TO DO. 

First empty the bladder as soon as possible by means of a 
catheter and then use this: 



72 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

PRKSCRIPTION. 

Opium, Tincture of i ounce 

Aconite, Tincture of i drachm 

Nitre, Spirits of i ounce 

Potash, Nitrate of i ounce 

Water, q. s. ad 6 ounces 

Mix and give two tablespoonsful every two hours in a 
pint of flax seed tea Use injections of warm water in 
rectum every hour, and if bowels do not move inside of 3 
hours give this as a purge: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Iyinseed Oil 1 pint 

Aloes Barbadoes 3 drachms 

Mix and give at one dose. 

Inflammation of the Bladder. 

This is by no means of common occurrence, yet it is 
very essential to us to be able to diag S02 a case of i ? and 
know the remedies to be applied should we ever be called 
upon to treat it. 

Cause — Prolonged rententicn of the urine, too free use of 
diuretics, and in some instances the application of fly blist- 
ers over extensive surfaces, are the principal causes. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

Frequent passages of urine in small quantities with 
some mucous in it; straining and high fever are usually 
the symptoms we first noti:e The patient will lo :k 
around at his flanks and show other signs of pain. There 
will be marked tenderness when pressure is applied in the 



and lectures 7 3 

flanks. Bladder can b^ felt per rectum and is tender to 
the touch. The gait is stiff and straddling; the loins are 
rigid and the tail is cons'antly switched. 

WHAT TO DO. 

It depends upon the cause; if it be from diuretic medi- 
cines stop or cu tail their use, and if from fly blisters 
remove them Always remember to empty the b!a ider 
by means of a catheter frst, then give the following inter- 
nally: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Opium, Tincture of 1 ounce 

Nitre, Spirits of 1 ounce 

Aconite, Tincture of t drachm 

Water, q. s ad 3 ounces 

Mix and give at 3 doses an hour apart. Use the following 

for several days: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Flaxseed Meal 16 ounces 

Gentian (powdered) 1 ounce 

Mix and give two tablespoonsful 3 times a day. 

Spasm of the Neck of the Bladder. 

This is a spasmodic closure of the neck of the bladder by 
contraction of the circular muscular fibers in this region. 
It is most common in the horse, but is by no means un- 
known in the mare. 

Cause — It is usually caused by retention of urine when 
patient is being driven or worked, that is, where animal is 
not allowed an opportunity to pass it off The administra- 



74 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

tion of Spanish fly or the application of large blisters and 
the use of dieuretics when not indicated as well as stone in 
the bladder may be the cause 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The patient makes frequent and repeated attempts at 
passing water and if any is forced out it comes from severe 
straining and in very small quantities The sufferer will 
show signs of pain; he will look around at his flanks, both 
while standing and laying, and there will be great tender- 
ness at the lower am 1 back part of the belly. By introduc- 
ing V e hand into the rectum the bladder will be felt on the 
floor of the pelvis in a full and distended state The pulse 
will beat small and regular. 

WHAT TO DO 

L,et the patient have such exercise as he or she, as the 
case may be, may like; use all means to induce passage of 
urine in the way of warm water injections into the rectum, 
and by the use of the catheter passed up the penis in the 
hor. ; e In case of patient being a mare all that is neces- 
sary is to insert a finger into the neck of the bladder. Give 
anti-spasmodic prescriptions as this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Niter, Spirits of . . i ounce 

Opium, Tincture of 2 drachms 

Aconite, Tincture of 20 drops 

Ginger, Extract of 1-2 ounce 

Mix and give at one dose and repeat every hour until re- 
lief is secured. 



AND LECTURES. 75 

Diabetes. 

This is a condition in which the kidneys secrete an ex- 
cessive amount of very clear urine, and is not very com- 
mon in the horse. 

Cause — L,ong continued cases of lung trouble and stom- 
ach troubles, which in most instances create a burning 
thirst, produce it. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The patient exhibits a very grtat thirst and passes urine 
in excessive quantities, it being as clear as spring water; his 
appetite is lost and his coat looks rough and dry; he soon 
becomes hide-bound. Sometimes he shows an inclination 
to lick the wall of stable and eat his bedding in preference 
to clean food. We occasionally find the patient suffering 
from palpitation of the heait along with general weakness 
and slight fever. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Give a complete chase of food and use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Iodine, Tincture of i drachm 

Gentian, Tincture of 2 drachms 

Mix and give at one dose in a pint of warm water and 

repeat every days for 4 day After the fourth day change 

treatment to this: 

PRESCRIPTION 

Epsom Salts 6 ounces 

Potash, Nitrate of 3 ounces 

Soda, Bi-Carbonate of 3 ounces 



76 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Linseed Meal 6 ounces 

Gentian (Powdered) i ounce 

Mix and give one tablespoonful night and morning, and 
allow patient to run on pasture as much as possible. 

P aLraJysis of the Bladder. 

A condition of this kiud seldom occurs, but when it does 
it becomes our duty to relieve it wheu possible. 

Cause — IyOng continued distention of the bladder from 
the urine being held too long. Diseases which confine a 
horse to a lying position, such as rheumatism, broken 
limbs, etc., often are the cause 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The urine dribbles away as it is secreted and scaMs the 
inside of the legs and sheath. The horse thus afflicted 
does not seem to suffer much pain, but a condition of this 
kind is very trying upon him, and we find some fever 
along with a soft and regular pulse. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Nitre, Spirits of 2 ounces 

Opium, Tincture of * * 1 ounce 

Aconite, Tincture of 2 drachms 

Gentian, Tincture of . 1 onuce 

Water, q. s. ad 8 ounces 

Mix and give 2 tablespoonsful 3 times a day in a half pint 
of warm water. Allow food and drink in very sparing 
quantities. 



AND LECTURES. 77 

Eversion of the Bladder. 

Bver3ion is an affliction of the female alone and is of 
rare occurrence. 

Cause — Protracted labor or straining is generally the 
cause, the bladder being forced back into the pelvis and 
turned inside out. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The bladder will be seen from the lower part of the Vul- 
va, and the entrance of the Ureters (tubes from kidneys) 
can be plainly seen near the neck of the bladder with the 
urine dripping from them 

WHAT TO DO 

First wash bladder clean in carbolized water, to which 
a little laudanum has been added, then place it back in its 
proper position, using sufficient care not to push the fingers 
through the walls of it. Should the temperature of pa- 
tient run up to 102 ° usj the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Niter, Spirits of i ounce 

Aconite, Tincture of 2 drachms 

Belladonna, Fluid Extract of . . . 3 drachms 

Water, q. s ad 6 ounces 

Mix and give two tablspoonsful 3 or 4 times a day. 

Rupture of the Bladder. 

Like many of the other diseases of the bladder this is 
also very uncommon. 

Cause — The blaider is sometimes ruptured by violent 
rolling on the part of a horse which has the colic, particu- 



7S PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

larly when it has some obstruction in it or is filled with 
uri e. This trouble occasionally occurs in females during 
parturition when the mare fails to empty her bladder 
before labor begins. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The animal will tremble all over the entire body, the 
pulse will be found weak an i jerky and it will run up to 
75 or 80 beats a minute directly, the body will soon be- 
come cold and examination per rectum shows bladder 
empty. The introduction of a hypodermic needle into the 
middle of the belly will let out urine which canbe smelled. 
Inflammation sets up among the viscera, and death is the 
result. 

W T HAT TO DO. 

We can do nothing but relieve patient until death claims 
him. For relief we can use this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Morphine, Sulphate of 4 grains 

Water, q. s. ad 6 ounces 

Mix and give at one dose and repeat every hour. 

Bloody Vrine. 

This is a condition in which a horse passes blood along 
with the urine; it is of serious import. 

Cause — It is generally caused by violent treatment of 
animal through which the loins, kidneys or bladder may 
be affected Cancer or abscess of the kidneys, and eating 
poisonous herbs may produce a condition of this kind. 



AND I.KCTURES. 79 

HOW TO KNOW IT 

The urine will be Wood s ained; the horse will be drowsy 
and without appetite and will lose flesh rapidly; his coat 
will be rough, dry and staring, and the pulse soft and 
regular with some fever. 

WHAT TO DO. 

In case of a profuse flow of blood dash cold water over 
patient's back and loins, give flaxseed tea to drink 3 or 4 
times a day in small quantities and use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Tincture, Muria'e of Iron 1 ounce 

Tincture, Gentian 1 ounce 

Water, q. s ad 8 ounces 

Mix and give two tablespoonsful 3 or 4 times a day in a 

pint of cold water 

Dribbling of the Urine. 

Some might think that a constant dribbling of the urine 
in paralysis of the bladder might constitute this disease as 
the sole cause of dribbling, but such is not the case for we 
occasionally find it without the presence of any paralysis 
whatever. • 

Cause — When not caused by paralysis it may be due to a 
weakness of or injury to the bladder, and again the cause 
may be calculi. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

Upon examination it will be found that the horse thus 
affected has no control over his urine; it dribbles from him 
continually. \t times he will stretch out as though 



8o PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

he has a desire to make water, but it will only come in 
very small quantities. 

WHAT TO DO. 

If the trouble be brought about by the presence of cal- 
culi we must do our best to remove the cause By the 
introduction of a catheter we can usually determine the 
presence of a >tone In using catheter pass the hand into 
the rectum to guide the point over the curve Give the 
following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Niter, Spirits of 2 ounces 

Balsam Copaiba 1 ounce 

Alcohol, q. s. ad 8 ounces 

Mix aud give one tablespoonful every 2 or 3 hours until 
patient is better. If the cause be a weakness or injury 
give a change of food aud the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Epsom Salts . . , 6 ounces 

Iyinseed Meal . . 6 ounces 

Nux Vomica (powdered) .... 4 drachms 
Cinchona bark (powdered) .... 2 ounces 
Mix and give one tablespoonful 3 times a day. Keep pa- 
tient dry and comfortable. 

Stricture of the Urethra. 

Th ; s is a condition in which the urine is retarded or ob- 
structed in its passage through the urethra by the forma- 
tion of a stricture in this passage. 

Cause— The causes are, irritating ingredients in the 



AND I3CTURKS. 8 1 

urine, strong injections in cases of gonorrhoea, and con- 
traction of the lining membrane of the urethra which may 
occur during the healing of ulcers in this canal. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The urine is passed in a small stream, the patient being 
a loug time at it, and showing by his actions that he is 
suffering some pain; he occasionally stands stretched out 
for some time as though he wished to urinate. This trou- 
ble is by some, who do not know any better, called "chro- 
nic gravel " 

WHAT TO DO. 

First, examine the end of the penis to see if the trouble 
is there; if no obstruction be founi here, then pass in a 
catheter gently; this is to be done once or twice a day dur- 
ing treatment Give patient the following which you can 
best prepare yourself: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Gather one gallon of prickly pear leaves, 

place them in three gallons of water and boil 

down until you have but one gallon left. 

In mild cases give one pint of this fluid once per day, and 

in severe cases give it two or three times a day as indi- 
cated. 

Gonorrhoea. 

This is an inflammation of the urethra and is mostly 
confined to stallions. 

Cause — Irritating substances in the urine, excessive 
capulation, connection with a newly delivered mare or one 



82 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

which has an irritating discharge from the womb, and 
injury to the penis in passing small stones may all be 
classed as causes. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

By soreness in the sheath and penis, both being swollen 
some. The patient will pass water in small jets, and will 
show that the act of urinating gives him pain. The head 
of the penis will be found sore and hot and there will be a 
discharge of pus. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Keep the bowels of the patient well open and bathe all 
the sore parts well with warm water once a day and follow 
with an injection into the penis of this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Lead, Acetate of 1-2 ounce 

Zinc, Sulphate of 3 drachms 

Water, q s. ad 16 ounces 

Mix an 1 shake well, inject an ounce or two once a day 
into urethra. After the sixth day change to this : 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Silver, nitrate of 10 grains 

Morphine, sulphate of 10 grains 

Water, q. s. ad 8 ounces 

Mix and inject night and morning. Feed light soft feed. 

Urinary Calculi. 

The carbonates of lime and magnesia are the principal 
components of the calculi of the horse, and they are due 



AND LECTURES. 83 

to a large proportion of vegetable acids in the food, these 
acids being transformed and uniting with the lime and 
magnesia of the blood, thus forming carbonates of either of 
these elements which are within themselves the calculi. 

Cause — The transforming of vegetable acids into carbonic 
acid, which in turn unites with the time or magnesia of 
the blood of the system forming solid carbonates. By some 
it is thought that the drinking of hard water is a cause for 
calculi, and the reasons they advance for such opinions are 
goo 1, but we will not attempt to discuss them. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

Calculi in the kidneys and ureters produce colicky pains, 
a straddling gait, tenderness over the loins and sometimes 
blood in the urine By introducing the hand into the rec- 
tum we may sometimes feel the calculus in the ureters. 
Calculi in the bladder often get into the urethra or outer 
passage and obstruct the flow of urine, in which case they 
give rise to frequent straining efforis upon the part of the 
horse in his attempts at empytying the bladder Under 
these conditions the urine passed comes in small jets with 
a sudden arrest of the flow. If the stone does not make its 
way into the urethra the flow of urine is not checked, but 
blood in clots may be passed; which is a strong indication 
that the mucous membrane or lining of the bladder has 
been wounded by the stone. The presence of a stone in 
the bladder of the male can be determined by means of an 
examination through the rectum. In the female it can be 
reached easily with the finger through the short urethra. 



84 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

WHAT TO DO. 

In case the trouble be in the kidneys or ureters there is 
but little that can be done, aside from the administration 
of medicaments to relax the walls of the ureters and to re- 
lieve the pain. The fo' lowing will prove efficacious: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Opium, Tincture of i ounces 

Belladonna, Fluid Extract of . . 2 drachms 

Aconite, Tincture of 1 drachm 

Water, q. s. ad 4 ounces 

Mix and give at two doses one hour apart. 

In case the calculus be in the bladder or urethra it can 
be removed by crushing it with forceps made for the pur- 
pose, and when crushed the bladder should be washed out 
thoroughly. For several days after this operation put a 
tablespoonful of bi-carbonate of soda in daily allowance of 
water. 

Foul Sheath. 
The sheath of most horses at times becomes foul and 
needs cleaning. The glands in the region of penis secrete 
a fluid, which lubricates the parts, and it is sometimes se* 
creted in excessive quantities, and the result is an accum- 
ulation of a black gummy substrance in the sheath which 
should be removed. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Wash out the sheath thoroughly with warm water and 
castile soap, then dry the parts with a soft clean towel and 
depend upon nature to do the rest- Never put grease or 
oil in a sheath for they hold dust and trash thus making 
bad matters worse. 



CHAPTER VI. 

DISEASES OF THE LIVER. 

Though the diseases of this organ are very few and sel- 
dom occur, yet it is of great importance to us that we 
should study thos2 which are of consequence and can be 
understood and treated successfully. We do not think 
that we would be justified in taking the reader's time and 
wasting a lot of valuable space in writing of something 
which can be of no practical worth — hence we present 
nothing under this head but "Inflammation of and Con- 
gestion of the I,iver. " One striking peculiarity with refer- 
ence to the liver of a horse, is the absence of a gall blad- 
der, this being the reason, no doubt, for the horse not be- 
ing troubled with some of the common diseases, such as 
gall stone, etc. 

Congestion of the Liver. 

This is a condition in which the blood vessels of the 
liver are engorged, and it is usually accompanied by an 
engorgement of many of the other internal organs. 

Cause — Over feeding without reasonable exercise, injuries 
on right side over liver and the presence of foreign bodies 
in it. The extension of inflammation from neighboring 
parts may produce such a condition. 



86 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is a yellowishness of all visible mucous mem- 
branes, the horse appears dull and as if suffering from 
some internal pain. The feces are of a gray color, hard 
and very offensive; the urine is scanty and highly colored. 
Sometimes there is lameness in the right fore-shoulder, 
and in some cases the patient is noticed grinding his teeth. 

WHAT TO DO. 

First give as a purge the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Linseed Oil . i pint 

Aloes Barbadoes 6 drachms 

Calomel 1-2 drachm 

Mix and give at one dose and repeat in 24 hours if 
necessary. When bowels have acted well begin with this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Cinchona Bark (Powdered) . . . . 1 ounce 

Foenugreek (Powdered) 1 ounce 

Blood Root (Powdered) . 2 ounces 

Mix and divide into 12 powders, and give one night and 
morning in soft feed. 

Inflammation of the Liver. 
This disease, though rare, is sometimes met with and is 
generally in an old horse It may effect the covering of 
the the liver or its glanular portion 

Cause — The causes of inflamation are congestion and its, 
causes. 



AND LECTURES. 87 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

Inflammation of the liver presents many of the symptoms 
of congestion. There is a loss of appetite, the patient 
hangs his head and usually remains standing, the feces are 
of a dark reddish brown color and are covered with a slimy 
mucous matter and there is generally tenderness of the 
right side. 

WHAT TO DO 

Give same purgative recommended in congestion, and 
when bowels have b en thoroughly opened give the fol- 
lowing: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Potash, Chlorate of 2 ounces 

Water, q. s. ad 2 pints 

Mix and give eight tablespoonsful at a dose 3 times a 
day. 



CHAPTER VII. 

DISEASES OF THE BLOOD. 

Under this head we will consider the general diseases of 
the blood along with those of contagious origin. 

Influenza and Pink Eye. 

These are one and the same and are identical with the 
"grip" in man. It is recognized as being a distinctly 
specific germ disease of an infectious character. 

Cause — It is supposed to be caused by the introduction 
into the system of a poison of a malarious nature. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The first sign noticed is usually languor and weakness 
upon the part of the patient, followed by nervous prostra- 
tion in a few hours; he hangs his head, the ears droop, 
the mouth is hot, the eyes are red and in some cases swol- 
len, and in the corners of them is found a kind of matter. 
A high fever develops, the temperature running as high 
as 106 ° and possibly to 108 ° . The breathing is rapid and 
is sometimes characterized by a snoring sound The pulse 
is quick, hard and irritable. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Give the patient good quarters, no drafts, pure air, and 
soft digestable food. Leave the bowels alone, treat the 



AND LECTURES. 89 

heart mainly, look to your hygiene and depend upon na- 
ture for the rest. 

As a heart stimulant and tcnic this will be found effica- 
cious: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Atropine . . 4 grains 

Brandy 1 pint 

Mix and give four ounces at a dose 3 times a day. 

Rheumatism. 

Rheumatism is a constitutional blood disease and is 
neither contagious nor infectious. 

Cause — It is due to the accumulation in the S3^stem of 
some unnatural acid and usually follows other disorders — 
as influenza, chest affections and most acute troubles. It 
rarely appears without a forerunner 

HOW T D KNOW IT. 

The first symptom we generally notice is lameness, 
which is of a peculiar kind; there may or may not be swel- 
ling; when swelling is prese t the patient has more or le-s 
fever. The lameness is most generally flying in character, 
passing from one joint to another and from one leg to the 
other The joints usually affected are the hips, shoulders, 
knees and fet-locks There is great pain and soreness upon 
pressure. The pulse is generally hard, rapid and small 

WHAT TO DO 

First bathe affected parts well for thirty minutes 
in warm water, dry thoroughly and rub in well the 
following liniment: 



90 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Arnica, Tincture of 2 ounces 

Opium, Tincture of 112 ounces 

Camphor, Spirits of 3 ounces 

Mix and apply to affected parts. Give internally this: 

PRESCRIPTION 

Colchicum Seed (Powdered) . . . . 1 ounce 
Foenugreek Seed (Powdered) . .1-2 ounce 

Gentian (Powdered) 1 ounce 

Potash, Nitrate of 1 ounce 

Mix and divide into 12 powders and give one night and 

morning in soft feed. 

Abscesses. 

An abscess is a sac of pus in the tissues. They are 
sometimes large, but as a rule are not painful unless near 
a nerve center. 

Cause — Impurities in the blood from retaining in the sys- 
tem matter which should be eliminated either through the 
bowels, the kidneys or the skin A blow, a kick or other 
injury may be the exciting cause, but the morbid condi- 
tion of the blood must be such as to favor the formation of 
an abscess ere one is produced. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

We find great swelling, which is hard in the beginning, 
but as it app oaches full development becomes soft in the 
center, but remains hard on the outer edges It is red, 
hot, and after a time is painful to touch. Abscesses may oq- 
cur in almost any place upon a horse, 






AND LECTURES. 9 1 

WHAT TO DO. 
When the softening of thecenter becomes apparent, lance 
well with an eye to good drainage and wash twice per day 
with carbolized water. 

Glanders arid Fatrcy. 

These are the same disease but present themselves in 
different forms. When it affects the lymphatic glands be- 
tween the branches of the lower jaw and breaks out in the 
nose it is called gla- ders. On the other hand when it at- 
tacks the glands and tissues of the legs and body it is call- 
ed farcy. The virus from either will produce both. 

Cause — We know but little of its causes, however, it is 
fostered and extended by contagion. It sometimes arises 
apparently spontaneously in armies and on shipboard 

HOW TO KNOW IT 

An animal with acute glanders suffers from languor; 
presents a dry staring coat, red weeping eyes, loss of appe- 
tite, elevated temperature, running up to may be 106 ° ; 
the pulse will be qucik and breathing hurried There 
will be a watery di-charge from the nose which soon be- 
comes sticky and rather yellowish in appearance. The 
lining membrane of the nose becomes a grayish purple in 
color. At this stage the discharge from the nostrils will 
sink in water. The nostrils become ulcerated; yellowish 
points with purple bases make their appearance and burst, 
causing the discharge to become bloody for a time These 
ulcers will spread and run together, eating away the tissues 
as they go. In the beginning the edges of these ulcers 
are elevated and the centers are depressed. As the disease 



9^ PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

progresses the discharge increases and a horrible odor is 
emitted. Ulcers finally form in the lungs, the breathing 
becomes labored and the horse dies. 

Chronic glanders runs a less rapid course, but presents 
the same symp'oms as acute, with the exception that the 
appetite is less affected, the discharge from the nose is less 
copious and a great deal less offensive. 

Farcy is distinguished by a swelling of the legs either 
one or all four of them. Nodules break out which dis- 
charge an unhealthy pus. these generally cure up in a few 
days leaving a bare spot to tell the tale. The swelling of 
the legs does not yield to treatment. Farcy always re- 
sults in glanders and terminates fatally. It is contagious. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Kill and burn the animal affected with either of these, 
quarantine all others which have been exposed, for at least 
sixty days, disinfect barn and clean up harness, halters, 
tie ropes, etc. 









CHAPTER VIII. 

DISEASES OF THE HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS. 

It is very difficult to diagnose the diseases of the heart, 
and but few of them are influenced by treatment. For the 
sake of information rather than practical utility, we give 
this chapter. 

Diseases of the Endocardium. 

The endocardium is a serous sac which surrounds the 
heart and secretes a fluid which keeps the heart constantly 
lubricated. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

A horse with this trouble will stand around with no in- 
clination to move, he will allow his head to hang down 
and will appear as if suffering. The pulse will be high, 
and upon placing the ear over the region of the heart a 
harsh, rasping sound will be heard. 

WHAT To DO. 
The only thing we can do is to treat constitutionally 
with: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Niter, Spirits of i 1-2 ounces 



94 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Aconite, Tincture of i drachm 

Belladonna, Fluid Extract of . . .2 drachms 

Gentian, Tincture of 1 ounce 

Potash, Nitrate of 1 ounce 

Ammonia, Muriate of 1 ounce 

Water, q s ad ........... 1 pint 

Mix and give four tablespoousful every 2 or 3 hours 

Enlargement of the Heart. 

This is a condition in which the heart has increased in 
size, and it is generally confined to the left ventricle. It 
is by no means uncommon. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

Our only means of diagnosis in this disease is through 
the pulse and tempeiature The pulse will be irregular in 
its action with reference both to force and number of beats. 

The temperature will be very uneven, one side of the 
bo Jy being cold and the other hot, or one leg cold while 
the others are warm. 

WHAT TO DO. 
Give patient gentle exercise and use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Potash, Iodide of 1-2 ounce 

Nux Vomica (Powdered) 1 ounce 

Foenngreek (Powdered) 1 ounce 

Blood Root (Powdered) . . . .1 1-2 ounces 
Mix and divide into 8 powders, and give one night and 
morning. 



AND tKCTURES. 95 

Atrophy of the Heart. 

In this trouble the walls of the heart become flabby and 
soft, a kind of wasting away as it were of the heart sub- 
stance. 

HOW TO KNOW IT 

There will be pallor of the mucous membranes, languor 
and emaciation. The pulse will be weak and irregular, 
and often misses two or three beats ht a time. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Use the following 3 or 4 weeks: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Nux Vomica (Powdered) 2 ounces 

Iron ulphateof .... 2 1-2 ounces 

Foenugreek 2 ounces 

Sassafras Bark . . . .21-2 ounces 

Mix and divide into 16 powders and give one night and 
morning. 

Aneurism. 

This is a dilatation of an aitery, brought about through 
the weakening af the artery wall, it being subjected to the 
powerful pressure of the blood from the heart's action 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

An enlargement or bulge, and distinct pulsations are ob- 
served when there is an aneurism The aneurism is soft 
and compressible. 

WHAT TO DO. 

In case it be the large arteries in the abdominal cavity 



96 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

nothing can be done, but if an aneurism appears on the 
outside of the body apply ice or cold water and a compress 
to the swelling. 

Thumps. 

This is a peculiar spasmodic action of the heart, and is 
brought about by over exertion. It is most likely to occur 
in summer 

HOW TO KNOW IT 

The heart thumps away as if it wanted to get out, often 
shaking the entire body, the patient usually sweats freel}' 
and puts on an anxious expression as if in distress; the 
breathing is labored. 

WHAT TO DO 

Give the patient rest and stimulate the hea t's action 
with this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Brandy 3 ounces 

Digitalis, Fluid Extract of 6 drops 

Opium, Tincture of 2 drachms 

Water, q. s ad 1 pint 

Mix and give at one dose and repeat 3 or 4 times a day for 

several days. 



CHAPTER IX. 



DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NER.VOUS SYSTEM. 

The nervous system of the horse is highly developed, 
approaching in many respects that of man; this being the 
case he is more liable to brain affections and nervous dis- 
orders than any of the other domestic animals. 

Inflammation of the Brain. 



This is a very common trouble 
in the horse and we should 
study it closely. It is very 
essential to us that we secure 
well the patient for he generally 
struggles most violently during 
his mad fits. 



^ 




Cause — The cause is by no means always apparent, but 
it is generally supposed to be due to extension of fever. 
Blows upon the head may produce it, and again its being 
more prevalent in summer than in winter, gives color to 
the theory that exposure to the burning sun for long 
periods may be a prolific cause. 



c)8 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The patient is apparently prostrated, the mucous mem- 
branes are very red, those of the eye being particularly so; 
the pulse and respiration are both quickened and the bow- 
els are constipated. There is a peculiar delirium at first 
followed by stupidity. The patient will be noticed plac- 
ing his head against the wall as if to brace himself; he 
will occasionally eat and while doing so will sometimes 
doze off, when awakened he will move around and paw 
the ground, then lay his head against the wall and doze 
again. A horse may go on in this way for several days, 
the fits, howaver, becoming more violent at every recur- 
rence. 

WHAT TO DO. 

First give the following as a purge: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

I^inseed oil i pint 

Aloes Barbadoes . 6 drachms 

Calomel 15 grains 

Mix and give at one dose and repeat in 1 2 hours if necessary. 
To reduce the fever use this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Belladonna, fluid ext. of 2 drachms 

Aconite, tinct of . 1 drachm 

Water, q. s. ad 4 ounces 

Mix and give one tablespoonful every hour until pulse 
comes down to 45 beats a minute After this is done give 
the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Potash, bromide of 1 drachm 



and lectures 99" 

Warm water 1-2 pint 

Mix and give at one dose 3 times a day for 4 or 5 days,- 
then use a good tonic for a couple of weeks. 

Meningitis. 

Meningitis is of rare occurrence, difficult to treat, and a 
horse affected with it seldom recovers 

Cause — A general pletborie condition brought about in 
most instances by high feeding and but little work or ex- 
ercise. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

At first the patient seems dull and listless, then he reels 
and stumbles and sometimes falls. The respiration is rapid 
and the pulse becomes quick and full; the pupils of the 
eyes, are dilated and there is a very noticeable twitching 
of the muscles of the neck and head At first patient is 
very nervous, but as disease progresses blindness and 
deafness set in and he notices no more. 

WHAT to do. . 

Apply ice poultice to the head and give same purge as 
recommended in inflammation of the brain. Give bromide 
of potash in 3 drachm doses 3 times a day. 

Apoplexy. 

This condition is brought about by suddea pressure upon 
the brain when a horse is healthy in other ways. 

Cause — Anything which produces pressure on the brain. 
A horse exerting himself in a collar which is too small, 

causing a rush of blood to the head, is a very common 

L.ofC. 
cause. 



100 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The horse staggers and falls, froths at the mouth and is 
insensible. There is a peculiar paralysis with twitching of 
the muscles. The respiration stops for a short time and oc- 
casionally there is hemorrhage from the nostrils. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Remove collar instantly and give patient a chance to 
breathe. Bathe the head freely with cold water and suf- 
ferer will be all right in a few minutes. 

Lock-Jaw or Tetanus. 

This is a condition in which the whole nervous system 
is in a state of extreme excitement, the motor, sensory and 
sympathetic systems all being involved. 

Cause — It may be brought about by overheating, worms 
in the intestines, or a common cold, but the most prolific 
cause is a wound, such as a nail in the foot, castration and 
wire cuts. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

L,ock-jaw is so well known by almost every one that it 
seems needless for me to say much about its symptoms. 
First there is extension of the head and difficulty in chew- 
ing, and upon examination it will be found that the mouth 
can not be opened to its full extent. There is general stiff- 
ness and fixedness in the manner of standing. By raising 
the head more of the haw of the eye and less of the eye itself 
will be seen. Elevating the head causes great nervous ex- 
citement upon the part of the patient, increasing the spasms 
of the neck and jaws. The nostrils are dilated and the 
legs and ears are stiff. The muscles are hard and patient 



And lectures. ioi 

sweats profusely. In the course of 12 hours the jaws usual- 
ly become completely locked. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Relax the system by giving hypodermic injections of the 
following: 

PRKSCR IPTION. 

Morphine, Sulphate of 2 grains 

Atrophine ..,■•"■' 1 grain 

Water, q. s. ad 1 drachm 

Mix and give at one dose hypodermically, and repeat every 
3 hours until muscles are relaxed. At the same time force 
patient to inhale sulphuric ether from a towel, allowing 
fresh air along with it. If cause be from a wound treat 
this also in a rational way. 

Sun Stroke. 

v c un stroke is quite common in some parts of the country, 
particularly in the cities. 

Cause — Exposure to the hot sun and over exertion in hot 
weather. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The horse is sweating and suffering from heat, when 
suddenly he stops and sweat dries off, then he begins to 
stagger, becomes weak, stupid and deaf. The surface of 
the body will be hot; the breathing is labored and the pa- 
tient soon falls in an unconscious condition. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Throw cold water over patient until he is thoroughly 
cooled off, then give this: 



102 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Brandy 1-2 pint 

Water 1 pint 

Mix and give at one dose and in 2 hours give patient just 

a half dose more. 

Blind Staggers. 

This is one of the most serious of all brain troubles, and 
it is thought by some that the usefulness of the animal is 
impaired, even though he survives the trouble. The ex- 
perience of the writer is sufficient to justify the assertion 
that if the proper remedies are promptly employed, a horse 
can pass through the "blind staggers" and come out as 
sound and healthy as though he had never had them. 

Cause — Rupture of the meningeal blood vessels. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The first symptom usually noticed is drowsiness upon the 
part of the horse, he will hang his head, his breathing 
will be hard and gait straddling; in leading he will go to 
one side, and if left free will lean against almost anything. 
As disease progresses he will be hard to manage, becom- 
ing violent at intervals. The pulse will be soft and regu- 
lar, running from 50 to 80 beats per minute. The temper- 
ature will run from 103 ° to 105 ° . 

WHAT TO DO. 

First bleed the patient from the nasal veins. These can 
be readily found with the knife by passing it through from 
the outside just under the point of the nasal bones The 
blood will pass out the nostrils and continue to flow from 



AND LECTURES I03 

25 to 40 minutes. There is no danger in this so allow pa- 
tient to bleed all he will. In one hour after bleeding give 
this as a purge: 

PRESCRIPTION 

L,inseed Oil . . . = 1 pint 

Aloes Barbadoes 6 drachms 

Mix and give at one dose, and if bowels do not move in 12 
hours repe .t it. To control fever use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Aconite, Fluid Extract of . . . .1 drachm 
Belladonna, Fluid Extract of . . .2 drachms 

Water, q. s. ad 4 ounces 

Mix and give one tablespoonful every hour until pulse 
runs down to 50 beats a minute. After this give quinine 
in one drachm doses twice a day for 3 or 4 days. 

Loco Poisoning. 

This is a peculiar condition of the brain produced by an 
animal feeding upon the dreaded loco-weed. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

A locoed horse has fits of delirium, which begin in a 
mild way, but keep increasing in severity until the animal 
becomes wild and unmanageable, he becomes crazy, rear 
ing and plunging until finally he goes down and dies in 
convulsions. 

WHAT TO DO 

Treatment is useless, but Bromide of Potash in one 
drachm rose 4 might be resorted to to quiet the nervous 
system. 



CHAPTER X. 

DISEASES OF THE EYE. 

Diseases of the eye are by no means so common in the 
horse as in the human family, but some of them are of 
much moment to the owner when the usefulness of the ani- 
mal is taken into consideration. Any defect of the eye de- 
tracts largely from the value of a horse in the estimation of 
dealers, hence it is of the utmost importance that we study 
carefully some of the more common affections of this organ. 

Noon Blindness. 

In the great west multitudes of good horses lose their 
powers of seeing through the baneful influences of this 
disease. 

Cause — The cause is an hereditary one. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is swelling of the whole eye and all the parts sur- 
rounding it; it is closed or nearly so; the mucous mem- 
brane is very red, the tears run down the cheek and a whit- 
ish pus may be observed in the lower portion of the eye. 
In a few days the inflammation subsides, but the pupil will 
appear ragged, and in the course of a month or two the 
trouble recurs in a more aggravated form. The trouble 



AND LECTURES. 



I05 



Continues to recur and eventually results in a cataract; 
when this occurs the troubfe subsides. It may affect either 
one or both eyes at the same time. 

WHAT TO DO. 

This trouble can not be cured, but can be alleviated by 
using cold applications, keeping patient in a dark place, 
and seeing that the bowels are kept well open. 

Glass Eye. 

This is a paralysis of the optic nerve with no alteration 
of the structure of the eye, aside from the loss of power of 
seeing 

Cause — Injuries to the brain and pressure upon the optic 
nerve are the most common causes, but it may be the re- 
sult of very high fevers. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The eye thus affected usually presents a white, glassy 
appearance. It may be present in one or both eyes. In 
many cases the sight of the animal is seriously involved. 

WHAT TO do. 

Treatment is valueless as a cure can not be hoped for. 

Inflammation of the Iris. 

This is an inflammation of that portion of the eye form- 
ing the pupil of it and giving color to it 

Cause — Constitutional disorders, exposure to and facing 
severe winds, extremes of light and darkness, etc. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

A pink ring is seen around the white coat forming the 
back part of the eye, the haw is drawn up, the eye 



106 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

being retracted and partially closed. There is considerable 
inflammation and the pupil is very small. The aqueous 
humor becomes turbid, and in the anterior chamber it will 
be noticed that white flakes are floating. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Cover eyes of patient with a dark cloth and place him in 
a darkened stall. See that bowels are well open and bathe 
the eye with warm water and use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Zinc, sulphate of 2 grains 

Morphine, sulphate of 4 grains 

Water, q s ad 2 ounces 

Mix and drop a few drops into the eye 3 or 4 times a day. 

Cataract. 

This condition represents the most common termination 
of all the inflammatory diseases of the eye. 

Cause — The cause is in almost every instance a pre- 
ceding disease of the ey 



1- .-» 



HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The trouble is so plain as to be easily recogized. The 
pupil is filled with white lymph and is dilated very much. 
Examine eye in dark stall with a eandle; if you find three 
reflections there is no cataract, but if one or two of them 
are blurred or wanting, you can be sure of the trouble. 

WHAT TO DO. 

In recent cases a strong purge with the following appli- 
cation to the eyes may clear them up. 



AND I.KCTURKS. 107 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Copper, sulphate of 3 grains 

Water, q s ad 2 ounces 

Mix and apply to eye twice per day. In the later stages 
of this disease nothing can be done of benefit 

Weeping Eyes. 

This is an obstruction of the tear duct, which is a small 
tube or passage leading from the floor of the eye into the 
nostril. 

Cause — Extension of inflammation in catarrh is generally 
the cause, but anything which closes the tear duct or 
causes it to be closed is sufficient to produce this condition. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The eyes look very weak and tears are constantly flow- 
ing over the cheek. It may be confined to one eye, and 
again both may be affected. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Examine the nasal opening of the tear duct a d if there 
should be any obstruction remove it. If there be no me- 
chanical obstruction throw about a tablespoonful of pul- 
verized ginger into the nostrils, this will produce a fit of 
sneezing the force of which will open duct. 

Tom Eye-Lids. 

This should, to come in properly, be placed under the 
head of operations, but for the sake of convenience we 
treat it in a brief way here. 

Frequently the eyelids are torn by being caught on 
snags, nails, hooks, etc., and when possible we should al- 
ways sew them up Use fine silk thread, bring the sever- 
ed edges neatly and evenly together and make fine stitches. 
Press wound twice per day with carbolized water. 



CHAPTER "XI. 

PARASITIC TROUBLES AND EXTERNAL AFFEC- 
TIONS OF THE BODY. 

In this chapter we will consider the few parasitic dis- 
eases which are of consequence, and the numerous conse- 
quences, accidents and external diseases which are of im- 
portance to the reader. 

Lice. 

These insects or parasites always impoverish the animal 
they infest. All horses suffer from their ravages at times 
more or less 

HOW TO GET RID OF THEM. 

The following has proven very effective in the hands of 
the writer: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Oil of Sassafras 3 ounces 

Oil of Cedar . 1 ounce 

Mix and apply with sponge or woolen cloth to all parts 

infested by lice. 

M^nge. 

This is also a parasitic trouble, and there are two kitfds 
of the parasite, but the preparation which destroys one ef- 



AND LECTURES. 109 

fectually gets rid of the other, so we do not go into any 
further explanation along this line. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is intense itching, followed by rubbing upon the 
part of affected horse, and the more he rubs the worse the 
itching seems to get. The hair comes off in patches and 
the skin becomes rough, pimply and scaly, and ge's quite 
raw at times. Mange usually affects the neck and head 
first; it is contagious. 

WHAT TO DO. 

First wash patient, cleansing him thoroughly, with soap 
and water, then use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Oil of Tar 4 ounces 

Oil of Cedar 1-2 ounce 

Sulphur 4 ounces 

Linseed Oil, q. s. ad 1 pint 

Mix and apply to every affected spot. 

Ringworm. 

The trouble is the result of filth and poverty; it is con- 
tagious and is a kind of vegetable parasitic growth. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

First we notice a circular, scruffy patch, the hairs of 
which may be erect, bristly, broken or split up and drop- 
ping off. Later affected spot becomes entirely bald, with 
hair surrounding it as above described. This bald spot 
grows maintaining a circular outline. It usually appears 
upon the back, loins, chest and head. 



110 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

WHAT TO DO. 

Bathe off affected parts with soap suds, and paint with 
tincture of Iodine twice a day for ten days. 

Itchy Tail. 

This is an itchy condition of the root of the tail. 
Cause — Worms in the rectum, filth or some parasitic 
trouble. 

HOW TO KNOW IT 

I By the actions cf afflicted animal; he will be contin- 
ually rubbing his tail against anything he can reach. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Wash root of tail with soap and water and use the fol- 
lowing: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Olive Oil , 3 ounces 

Carbolic Acid i drachm 

Mix and apply once a day. 

Itchy Skin. 

This is an itchy condition of the skin all over the body, 
and a horse afflicted with it sometimes becomes frantic from 
the annoyance, worry and pain. 

Cause — When not due to lice or mange it is a form of 
surfeit, and is caused by a heated condition of the body. 

HOW T 3 KNOW IT. 

A horse with this trouble is continually rubbing, scratch- 
ing and biting himself. 



AND EECTURES. Ill 

WHAT TO DO. 

Give an oleaginous purge and follow with a vinegar 
bath; when this is done give the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Epsom Salts 6 ounces 

Gentian (Pow 7 dered) i ounce 

Potash, Nitrate of 2 ounces 

Linseed Meal 4 ounces 

Mix and give one tablespoonful night and morning. 

Surfeit 

This simply represents a condition in which nature 
makes an effort to throw off effete matter and get rid of 
superfluous heat. 

Cause — High living with but little exercise. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

Some times there is itching and again there is none. 
The skin is rough and scabby, and sometimes there are 
blotches which may disappear in a few days or scab over. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Give a good purge, a change of feed and plenty of ex- 
ercise. 

Hide-Bound 

This is a generally unthrifty condition and is not a dis- 
ease within itself, but is the result of some derangement cf 
the system. 

Cause — It may be due to exposure to cold, starvation, 
indigestion, diseased teeth, etc. 



ii2 Private prescriptions 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The hair is turned the wrong way and the skin is tight 
on the body, dirty and full of dandruff and the animal is 
usually thin in order. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Make a thorough examination for the cause and remove 
it when found. Give the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Acid, Nitric 3 drachms 

Soda, Bicarbonate of 2 ounces 

Potash, Nitrate of 3 ounces 

Antimony, Block 3 ounces 

Asafoetida (gum) ....... 3 ounces 

Mix thoroughly and give one tablespoonful a day for 3 
days, then every other day until four doses are given in 
this way. This should be followed by good tonic. 

Eczema. 

This is simply a scalded condition of the back of an 
animal and is generally due to carelessness. 

Cause. — A horse getting wet and the hot sun coming out 
scalding his back. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The skin over back, neck, hips and sometimes sides and 
belly are covered with scabs as thick as they can stand. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Shelter patient from sun and rain and he will be all 
right in the course of time. 



AND LECTURES. II3 

Warts. 

Warts may come on any part of the body. They are 
generally tough and hard but may be soft and bleed easily. 
Usually they possess but little vitality. 

Cause — They seem to be of spontaneous origin. 

WHAT TO DO 

If wart be anywhere except directly over an artery cut 
it off smooth with the body; and use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Acid, arsenious 2 drachms 

Acacia, (gum) 1 drachm 

Cocaine, hydrochlorate 18 grains 

Mix and add sufficient water to make a thick paste. Bind 
a small amount of this to surface of wart and allow it to 
remain two days; after this apply vaseline. If after three 
or four days it appears that wart is not killed, go through 
same treatment again. 

Saddle GaJSs 

This is a condition in which the skin is rubbe I off the 
back in spots, leaving raw sores, and is the same as collar 
and harness sores when it comes to treatment. 

Cause — B idly fitting saddle-back, scalded with sweat, etc. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Bathe affected spots with warm water and castile soap, 
then use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Sulphur 1 ounce 

Alum, (powdered) 1 ounce 



114 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Calomel ... 10 grains 

Mix and apply to sore once a day. 

Sit-Fasts. 

These are large tumor-like lumps on the back. 
Cause — They are the result of saddle galls not being 
properly treated. 

what To DO. 
Take a sharp knife and cut them out then treat as a 
simple wound. 

Poll-Evil. 

This is an abscess or fistulous sore affecting the bones of 
the neck near the poll. 

Cause — Any bruise or blow near the top of the head is 
liable to produce this condition. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is always some swelling and a flow of pus which 
is seen running down the sides of the neck This pus has 
a disagreeable odor, and when the bone is affected we ob- 
serve the od )r characteristic of caries In a week or two 
pipes, as we call them, form, getting thicker and thicker 
all the time. 

WHAT TO DO. 

First open the fistulous sore with a knife, making a free 
incision, then use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Copper, sulphate of 3 drachms 

Water q s ad 8 ounces 

Mix and inject into sore twice a day for 6 days, then change 

to this: 



AND LECTURES 115 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Zinc, sulphate of .' 6 drachms 

Lead, acetate of i ounce 

Water q s. ad i pint 

Mix an 1 inject as above and for the same lenth of time. 

Fistulous Withers. 

Cause — This conditio < is produced by the withers getting 
bruised from any cause. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

In the beginning there is an enlargement of the withers, 
and they will be hot and painful to the touch and in the 
course of time a discharge mikes its appearance and is 
seen running down the shoulder. The pipes conveying 
pus are present the same as in pollevil The pus is usu- 
ally healthy unless the bones of the spine are affected. 

WHAT To DO 

In case the initial swelling is observed, puncture it 
twenty-five or thirty times with some sharp instrument, 
being careful not to go further than through the hide. 
When this is done use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Oil of Cedar i i -2 ounces 

Oil of Sassafras . 2 ounces 

Ammonia, Aqua 2 drachms 

Camphor Gum 2 drachms 

Turpentine 4 drachms 

Mix and rub in well night and morning. 

After discharge makes its appearance, make a transverse 

incision through fistulous opening about four inches long 



Il6 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

and sufficiently deep to reach the bottom. When this is 
done treat the same as poll evil. In case the bones of the 
spine are affected remove all loose pieces wi'h forceps and 
keep on with treatment 

Caries. 

This is simply at) ulceration of the bone. 
Cause — Wounds of any character affecting the bones are 
liable to be followed by it. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

We know it by the odor emitted, which is the same as 
that of decayed teeth There is always cons : derable swell- 
ing and the bone feels rough to the finger. 

WHAT TO do. 

Make an opening with a view to drainage, allowing a 
free escape of pus, scrape diseased surface of bone well 
with a dull instrument and use this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Acid, Hydrochloric 4 drachms 

Water, q. s. ad 1 pint 

Mix and dress parts twice a day with it until bone heals, 

then treat as a simple wound. 

Necrosis. 

By Necrosis is meant the death of bone. 

Cause — It is caused by caries and is a result of it. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

We find a fistula discharging offensive pus and pieces of 
dead bone, the discharge excoriating the surface over: 
which it passes. 



AND LECTURES. Iljr 

WHAT TO DO. 

Make a free opening to allow escape of pus and dead 
bone, and remove the latter as rapidly as possible. Ke p 
parts clean and use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Acid, Carbolic 1-2 ounce 

Olive Oil 1-2 pint 

Mix and apply to parts by means of cotton or soft, clean 

cloth. 

Wire Cuts. 

In some instances wire cuts, if not properly treated, de- 
stroy the usefulness of a horse, and in other cases we may 
do our best and not be able to overcome the damage done. 

WHAT TO DO FOR THEM. 

Cleanse thoroughly and often with carbolized water and 
use the following liniment twice a day: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Turpentine 6 ounces 

Camphor Gum 3 ounces 

Raw Eggs No. 3 

Vinegar, q. s. ad 2 pints 

Mix by disolving camphor in turpentine, then add eggs 
and shake thoroughly, when this is done add vinegar. In 
case wound is of sufficient moment to require stitching do 
this with an eye to drainage at its lowest point. 

Dropsy. 

Dropsy is the result of a peculiar condition of the system 
rather than a disease itself, and is ordinarily the result of 
some disease of the kidneys. 



Il8 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The legs, belly and sheath swell and there is indiffer- 
ence to food, weakness and emaciation, with langour and 
palor of the mucous membranes 

WHAT TO DO. 

Get at the cause and remove it Tonics which affect 
the kidneys directly are indicated. 

Rupture. 

We have different kinds of rupture depending upon the 
place in which the breaking away of the parts which con- 
tains the bowels takes place. 

Caicse — Umbilical rupture is from a natural defect, while 
all the rest are from blows, kicks, strains, etc. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

We find a soft puffy enlargement on a surface which 

should be smooth, and it can be readily pushed back, but 

will remain only so long as pressure is maintained. In 
the scrotum we find scrotal rupture. Inguinal rupture is 
found in the groin or flanks and so on. Rupture is in 
some cases attended by serious results in the way of gut 
strangulation, inflammation of the bowels, mortification 
and death. 

WHAT To DO. 

Push gut back and make an incision; sew up opening in 
abdominal walls with cat gut sutures, and treat your 
opening through skin and tissues in same manner using 
silk sutures When operation is complete inject hypoder- 
mically in two or three places around incision and about 
an inch from it a strong solution of common salt. This is 
done in order that swelling sufficient may be produced to 
aid in supporting intestines until the walls of the abdomen 
begin to heal. 



CHAPTER XII. 

AFFECTIONS OF THE LEGS. 

In this chapter we will consider all the important dis- 
eases and accidents of the legs from the fetlock to the body 
of the horse 

Windfalls. 

These are soft swellings around the fetlock, and may put 
in their appearance upon either leg of the horse 

Cause — They are caused by severe labor or a strain. 

HOW TO KNOW THEM. 

Windgalls are easily detected as they are simply puffy 
swellings about the ankle, and are usually about the size 
of a man's thumb. They are filled with oil instead of air 
as many think. 

WHAT To do. 

First use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Cantharides (Powdered) ..... 2 drachms 

English Rosin 1-2 ounce 

Lard 2 ounces 

Mix and apply to windgalls, allowing it to remain for four- 
teen hours. After this keep it well oiled, bandaging it at 
night. 



120 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Scratches. 

This is a condition in which chaps and cracks present 
themselves around the heels and in the hollow of the 
pastern. 

Cause — Snow, slush, ice and mud are the principle 
causes. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

Cracks and chaps extend in all directions around the 
heels and up the legs. The skin in the hollow of the pas- 
tern is swollen, very painful, and it is hot to the touch. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Wash the legs in warm water, removing all mud and 
dirt, dry them carefully and use the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Vaseline 2 ounces 

Alum (Powdered) 2 drachms 

Mix thoroughly and apply twice per day. 

Grease Heel- 

This is an inflammation of the deeper layers of the skin 
of the heel and resembles scrathes very much. 

Cause — Neglected scratches and a generally bad condi- 
tion of the blood. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is an offensive, greasy matter oozing from the 
pores of the legs, these being swollen to the knees. If 
neglected proud flesh puts in its appearance through the 
openings made by the pus, and if neglected farther, swell- 
ing can never be reduced. 






AND tKCTURES 12 1 

WHAT TO DO. 

L,ook to the bowels first and if they are not well open 
give purge recommended in pneumonia, ani when they 
have been moved off begin tonic powders prescribed in 
laryngitis. Bathe heels with warm water and apply this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Linseed Oil 8 ounces 

Camphor gum 12 ounce 

Oil of Tar 4 ounces 

Mix and apply to heels once a day. 

Cocked Ankle 

This is a condition in which a horse is from some cause 
inclined to rest his heels on the lower back part of his legs. 
Cause — Sprains, bruises of the heel, corns, etc. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The heels are raised, the ankle joint is thrown forward 
and there is no soreness. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Seek out cause and remove it is sufficient for a cure. 

Ring-Bone. 

This is simply a bony enlargement on the pastern. 
Cause — Any injury which sets up an inflammation on or 
near the pastern may produce it. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

We can feel it plainly around the paster^ either in lumps 
or a ring running entirely around, and t may seem as if 
spread out on the bone, 



122 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

WHAT TO DO. 

Give patient absolute rest and use this liniment: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Mercury, Bichloride of . . . . . . i ounce 

Camphor, Gum 3 drachms 

Ammo ia, Aqua 2 drachms 

Turpentine q. s. ad 8 ounces 

Mix and appl} r to pastern once a day until well blistered, 
then grease with lard unt'l scab falls away then blister 
again. 

Splint. 

Splint is an enlargement on the bone between the knee 
and pastern joint. It causes no serious trouble unless near 
a joint. 

Cause — Bruises cf any kind which sprain the ligament- 
ous attachment between the cannon and the splint bones 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

If near a joint same lameness is produced. Splint is 
simply a long bony lump found usually on the inside of 
the cannon bone. 

WHAT TO DO. 

'Treat just as you would ring bone. 

Bone Spavin. 



By bone spavin is meant a condition in which there has 
been a leakage of the joint oil with ossification of it. 
Cause.— The cause in almost every case is a strain. 

11 OW TO KNOW IT. 

We fm ! a pecuMar lameness which is very noticeable 
when the patient has been driven and allowed to cool aud 



AND LECTURES. 1 23 

started up again. Upon examining the hind leg we will 
find a bony enlargement just a little below the joint and on 
the inside of the leg. 

WHAT TO DO 

The following has never failed to relieve this condition 
when properly used: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Acid, Nitric 2 ounces 

Acid, Sulphuric 2 ounces 

Aconite, Fluid Extract of 4 drops 

Morphine, Sulphate of 1 grain 

Calomel 8 ounces 

Cantharides (Powdered) 1 drachm 

Chloroform 15 drops 

Arnica, Tincture of 10 drops 

Mix. In compounding this, great caution must be exe r 
cised, it must b? stirred all the time Use an earthenbow 
and an earthen pestle to stir it with. Put in calomel a lit- 
tle at a time and do not put in the cantharides until it 
come to a boil, then stir until gas is nearly all out and add 
the chloroform and arnica Apply this to spavin knot every 
other day for three or four applications, as a rule three are 
sufficient. After this keep it well greased with lard until it 
begins to heal. 

Bog Spavin. 

This is an enlargement of the hock. 

Cause — Any sprain sufficient in character to produce in- 
flamation of the synovial membrane. 






1^4 Private prescriptions 

how to know it. 

On the inner front of the hock we find a soft swelling 
resembling a windgall In severe cases there is lameness, 
but in mild ones there is little if any. 

WHAT TO DO 

Puncture swelling with a sharp instrument just through 
the skin some twenty-five or thirty times. When this is 
done use the following: 

prescription. 

Turpentine 2 ounces 

Oil of Spike 2 drachms 

Oil of Origanum 2 ounces 

Camphor Gum 12 ounce 

Oil of Tar 2 ounces 

Alcohol, q s ad 16 ounces 

Mix and apply twice a day. 

Blood Spavin. 

This is a distension of a vein as it passes over the en- 
largement of bone spavin, the vein being constricted the 
blood is dammed up. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

On the inside of the hock and just above the joint we 
find a soft swelling as in bog spavin, only a little higher 
up and farther inside the leg 

WHAT TO do. 

Puncture place as in bog spavin and u^e liniment pre- 
scribed in wire cuts for ten days. Should this fail to re- 
lieve the trouble an operation will be necessary. 



AND LECTURES. 1 25 

Sweeny. 

Sweeny is by no means as common as a great many 
think for. In nine cases out of ten thought t^ be sweeny 
the trouble is either in the foDt or some other portion of the 
limb. 

Cause — It is usually caused by being bruised either from 
a fall or from the collar not fitting in hauling, ploughing, 
etc. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is soreness, lameness and wasting away of the 
muscles of the shoulder blade. A horse with sweeny will 
rest his foot on the toe without extending it. Rest some- 
times seems to relieve sweeny, but work brings it on again. 

WHAT TO do. 

Puncture the shoulder as in bog spavin and repeat it 
every eight days for three or four weeks and use this lini- 
ment all the time. 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Turpentine 3 ounces 

Camphor Gum 3 drachms 

Oil of Cedar 1 ounce 

Oil of c assafras 1 ounce 

Alcohol q. s. ad 8 ounces 

Mix and apply once a day and should this blister, grease 

once a day also. 

Shoulder Lameness. 

This trouble is often taken for sweeny and it does 
sometimes result in it when neglected. 

Cause — Strains, kicks, or injury of any kind may pro- 
duce it. 




126 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

In the shoulder joint there is 
some sorenes, but there is none in 
the shoulder blade as in sweeny. 
There is la men sss and at the time igjj 
the leg is being moved forward the ^ 
head is nodded down at the start 
and suddenly jerked up toward the finish of the movement 

WHAT TO DO. 

First bathe off the shoulder for thirty minutes with very 
warm water, then dry thoroughly and apply liniment 
recommended in sweeny If w r eat' er be inclement blan- 
ket after bathing with warm water. 

Stifled. 

This is a condition in which there is a dislocation of the 
pulley bone, but any derangement of the stifle joint is gen- 
erally referred to as "stifled." 

Cause — It is generally produced by a slip and a twist of 
the leg at the same time 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The leg is apparently stiff and the horse is unable to 
move it forward The horse can be made to back when he 
will swing himself over injured limb without raising his 
foot from the ground. In case the trouble be a strain in- 
stead of a true stifle, the patient will carry the leg farther 
forward than usual, but he will do it carefully and with 
seeming labor, bending the stifle joint as little as possible; 
there will be soreness and swelling and the injured horse 
will be noticed resting his leg. 



AND LKCTURHS 12 



WHAT TO DO. 



. If the trouble be true stifle lie a rope above th • fetlock 
and pull the foot upward, outward and forward, raisi 
about eighteen inches from the ground, and while this is 
being done pressure by the han sufficient to foi pul- 

ley bone in place should be exerted over stifle joint. Y\ 
oulley bone goes in place it will be with a "pop," which 
can be easily heard Cord the opposh the 

hock, this being done to force pati ;it to stan 
one. The stifle shoe is often used to > . 

Bathe affected joint with cold watei 01 fifl n 

minutes at a time, t vice aday, and dry th 
which rub in well the liniment recommende ! for wi 
If the trouble be merely a strain the liniment is all that is 
necessary aside from rest. 

Hip Lameness eoid Hipped., 

Cause — Hip lameness is caused by straining the mus 
aud ligaments around the hip joint Hipped is caused by 
anything which strikes the hip wi h sufficient force to 
knock it down 

HOW TO KNOW IT, 

In hip lameness there is usually sorene-s directly over 
the joint and often some swelling can be observed from be- 
hind. On affected side the step will usually be much 
shorter than on the sound one. The patient may rest 
affected leg in standing, and again he may only give signs 
of lameness while traveling. In hipped a sight of the pa- 
tient is sufficient 



128 IVATE PRESCRIPTION 

WHAT TO DO. 

For hipped we can do nothing but give rational rel ef 
from pain. In hip lameness bathe affected hip- twice per 
day with hot vinegar and follow this with the wire cut 
liniment.. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



DISEASES OF THE FEET. 

The feet are subject to marry diseases and injuries which 

often render a horse unfit for work. In this chapter we 

will consider the most common and important affections of 

the feet. 

Corns. 

Corns most frequently occur in the front feet and are 
nearly always on the inside. 

Cause — High heels, contracted heels, long feet, weak 
feet, bruises, etc. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is lameness and soreness upon pressure over the 

corn. In paring the 
foot for examination 
we notice an appar- 
ently blood -shotten 
spot about the size of 

So, 

a dime. When this 

spot is present we 

know it to be a corn. 

WHAT TO do. . 

Ii there is a shoe on the foot remove it, and pare out 

the quarter until it is almost ready to bleed; when this is 




130 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

done apply carbolic acid full strength to corn once a day, 
and poultice with flaxseed meal. Should proud flesh make 
its appearance use powdered bluestone once a day for two 
or three days, then use this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Oil of Tar 4 ounces 

Oil of Origannum 1 ounce 

Linseed Oil 6 ounces 

Alcohol 7 ounces 

Mix and apply freely twice a day to the bottom of the foot. 

Quittor. 

This is a condition in which a sore has worked up 
through the foot and broken out around the top of the hoof. 
Cause — Neglect of corns, nails in the feet, etc. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is swelling at the top of the hoof, this breaks in a 
few days, discharging pus. The pain, which is very se- 
vere in the beginning, is relieved some by the breaking. 
In a few days after discharge begins the flesh around the 
opening gets soft and turns purple, and in the course of 
two weeks pipes will form. The longer it runs the worse 
it gets-. 

WHAT TO do. 

Open freely and effectively and inject into all parts of the 
quittor the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Copper, Sulphate of 2 drachms 

Water q s. ad 8 ounces 



AND LECTURES. t^I 

Mix and inject night and morning for six days then change 

to this: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Zinc, Sulphate of 4 drachms 

Lead, Acetate of 1 ounce 

Water q. s ad 1 pint 

Mix and use as directed above. 

Pricking. 

This is a condition brought about by a horse stepping 
upon a nail or other sharp thi g and at times produces 
serious resul s. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The patient suddenly goes lame; a careful and pains- 
taking examination of the foot will no doubt reveal the 
cause. 

WHAT TO DO 

Keep the foot and wound cleaned out and use the fol- 
lowing: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Oil of Tar 2 ounces 

Oil of Origanum 1-2 ounce 

Linseed Oil 4 ounces 

Turpentine 2 ounces 

Mix and fill prick woun 1 with it twice per day. 

Quarter Cracks. 

These come on the quarters, usually on the inside, that 
quarter being weaker than the outer. 

Cause — They are due to a lack of elasticity in the fibers 
aud a brittle condition of the hoof. 



132 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

HOW TO KNOW THEM. 

A sight of the split or crack in th? hoof is sufficient. 

WHAT TO DO. 

If crack extends to the quick, pare down its edges to 
relieve pinching and make it more pliable. Then take a 
sharp knife and cut across the crack at the top on through 
to the quick. This is done to start a new hoof If crack 
does not extend to the quick it is not necessary to pare 
the edges We may know when it reaches the quick by 
horse going lame. Pare the foot in such a way as that the 
weight of the horse will tend to close instead of open it. 
Blister coronet with the following : 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Cantharides (powdered) 1-2 ounce 

English Rosin 1-2 ounce 

Lard 4 ounces 

Mix and apply two or three times, or until well blistend. 

Use the same prescription as in corns, pouring the frog of 

the foot and cracks full twice a day. 

Thrush. 

This is a ki d of ulceration of, and rotting away of the 
frog of the foot. 

Cause — Standing in filthy stables 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

We find a black watery discharge and very offensive smell 
from the heels. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Put patient in clean stall and trim out frog, cleaning it 
thoroughly. Use in tt^e frog the same prescription recom' 
mended in corns. 



And lkctures. 133 

Narrow Heel. 

Lameness of long s'.auding always produces this condi- 
tion the foot being rested every opportunity. 

Cause — Corns, founder, sprains of the muscles, ligaments 
and tendons of the leg an 1 shoulder, etc. Leaving the 
shoes on too long is oae of the most common causes. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

A look at the foot will satisfy us. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Pare the foot down liberally, open the heel up to the 
soft parts, rasp off the quarters thin and do not touch the 
frog at all. Use the same hoof liquid as in corns and turn 
animal on soft pasture. If it is desired the shoes may be 
put on, but they should be plain Without any calks, of 
medium weight, level on bearing surface, and beveled off 
to avoid bearing on the so^e. Quarters should be reduced 
to relieve them of any bearing on the shoe, and frog should 
be allowed to come to the ground The shoes should be 
reset every three or four weeks. 

Gravel in the Foot. 

Gravel sometimes get into the feet of horses causing 
lameness and much irritation. 

Cause — The p imary cause may be a nail hole but 
any wound of the foot is liable to get a gravel in it. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The wound will appear black and unhealthy and by 
probing we distinguish a hard feeling. 

WHAT TO DO. 

For the sake of room trim hoof away around the open- 



134 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

ing. Then remove the gravel in a careful way and cleanse 
wound thoroughly with carbolized water, after this fill 
wound with liniment prescribed in wire cuts. If much in- 
flammation be present a flax seed meal poi Itice will not 
hurt anything. 

Stone Bruises. 

Cause — These are in most cases caused by a bruise from 
stepping upon a round or projecting stone 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is "lameness, the tender spot being found upon 
either frog, sole or heel. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Poultice injured foot with linseed meal for twenty-four 
hours, after this pare the foot down directly over the bruise 
being careful not to cut into the quick. Then use the fol- 
lowing: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Turpentine 4 ounces 

Tall w 2 ounces 

Bees Wax 2 ounces 

Pine Tar 1 ounce 

Mix well by heating and apply to bruise twice a day. 

Canker. 

Cause — Neglect and attemps at treating wounds in dirty, 
filthy stables. Badly treated wounds are a cause. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is a sprouting up of a ragged, shreddy, leathery 
substance which looks as if it ought to grow together and 
form hoof, but it remains soft and tender. 



AND LECTURES 1 35 

WHAT TO DO. 

Wash thoroughly with carbolized water, then apply a 
a poultice of charcoal, to which a little carbolic acid has 
been added, remove this on the third day and pare canker 
down almost to quick and apply powdered blue stone for 
several days. 

Side Bone. 

This is an ossification of the lateral cartilages of the fore 
feet. 

Cause — The most common cause is a bruise, but almost 
any disease of the foot can produce it. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The quarters are elastic, hard as a bone, and are en- 
larged upwards from the hoof; the patient being very lame. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Puncture the enlargements in ten or fifteen places with a 
common pegging awl just through the skin. Then use the 
following liniment: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Mercury, Bichloride of i ounce 

Camphor, Gum 1-2 ounce 

Ammonia, Aqua 2 drachms 

Turpentine, q. s ad .8 ounces 

Mix and apply every other day until well blistered and 

then grease with lard. 

Founder. 

From the nature and cause of founder, it might seem 
proper to have considered it under the head of diseases of 
the stomach, but this trouble being in every instance re- 



I36 PRIVATE) PRESCRIPTIONS 

ferred to the feet, we take it up here and treat it under the 
heads of acute and chronic founder. 

Acute Founder. 

This is a condition in which the symptoms are all ag- 
gravated in the beginning. 

Cause — The presence of grain and too much cold water 
in the stomach at the same time, this leading to and pro- 
ducing a suspension of digestion. As a horse has no gall 
bladder, founder is the result when digestion ceases. We 
hear of road and water founder and the like, but no true 
case of founder can be produced without the presence of too 
much grain and water in the stomach. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The horse is in great pain, standing as if riveted to the 
ground; when he moves at all he appears as if walking on 
pins. A foundered horse can not back. The patient 
sweats profusely, his pulse and breathing are quickened 
and temperature is elevated. 

WHAT TO DO . 

First bleed from pluter veins just half way between the 
knee joint and caster wart, taking a quart of blood from 
each fore leg. When this has been done use the following 
internally. 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Aloes Barbadoes 1 ounce 

Potash, Nitrate of 1-2 ounce 

Gentian (Powdered) 2 drachms 

Ginger (Powdered) 1-2 ounce 

Mix and give at one dose; Keep patient in dry lot and- 



AND tKCTURES. 1 37 

allow water in sparing quantities for a few days. Should 
patient have much fever fluid extract of aconite in ten 
drop doses should be given every two or three hours. 

Chronic Founder 

This trouble represents a condition which is the result of 
neglect of acute founder. 

Cause — Improper treatment of acute founder and neglect. 
how To KNOW IT. 

The patient goes with a short, shamMing gait as if he 
was a confirmed cripple, his feet are always tender and 
hoofs are brittle with rough rings around the top. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Pare out sole of foot, and should pus be found, release it. 
Then use one tablespoonful of the hoof liquid prescribed in 
corns in all four of the feet once a day. Give internally 
one tablespoonful of pulverized alum once a day. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Diseases of the Organs of Generation. 

Horses are a^ a general rule freer from diseses of these 
organs than almost any other order of animals; the cause 
being no doubt due to their unusual activity. In this 
chapter we will treat of nothing save the most important 
affections, these being the mo^t common. 

Inflamation of the Testicles. 

Cause — External injury and excessive copulation are the 
most common causes 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There will usually be some fever, much soreness and 
swelling of the parts, and a peculiar straddling gait. 

WHAT TO DO 

First bathe for thirty minutes with warm water and fol- 
low with the liniment recommended in wire cuts. 

Evil Results of Castration. 

This a condition in which the cord is left too long, the 
ends falling between the e 7 ges of the wound in the scro- 
tum and adhering to them, both scrotum and cord swelling 
together, forming a tumor, like moss, often of large 
proportions. 



AND LECTURES. 1 39 

WHAT TO DO. 
Cast the horse and dissect the enlargement out as though 
it was a tumor. 

Wound of the Pei\is 

Occasionally the penis is injured in teasing and covering 
mares. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Bathe the penis in warm water, adding about an ounce of 
the acetate of lead to the pint. 

Inflammation of the Womb. 

This trouble is usually brought about by injury during 
parturition and follows it two or three days 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

There is some fever, colicky pains and almost continual 
straining as if to pass a foal, with a black discharge from 
the womb 

WHAT TO DO. 

If bowels are constipated give an oleaginous purge, and 
without waiting for purge to act wash out womb with a 
half gallon of warm water to which a half drachm of bi- 
chloride of mercury has been added Should the fever run 
high give the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Aconite, Fluid Extract of . . . • i drachm 
Belladonna, Fluid Extract of . . 2 drachms 

Niter, Spirits of . . 2 ounces 

Water q. s. ad 8 ounces 

Mix and give a tablespoonful in a pint of water every hour. 



140 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Inflanvmatioiv of the Ovaries. 

Though met with once in a while this trouble is very 
rare. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

It usually occurs at the time of heat and aggravates the 
passions. There is some fever though slight, soreness in 
the lumbar region and a disinclination to move around. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Give a half ounce of spirits of niter twice a day ih a half 
pint of water. Do this for three dyas 

Parturition. 

The mare gets through with paiturition very quickly 
when everything is all light, but in case of a malpresentation 
or malformation of the pelvis they often need careful and 
intelligent assistance. No general rules can be laid down 
to follow in cases of this kind. Every thing depends upon 
the mare and the nature of her trouble, the foetus whether 
dead or alive, the time we have to work in, etc. Good 
common sense must be depended upon, and our best judg- 
ment exercised in the light of conditions as they exist. 

The natural presentation of a foal is for the fore feet to 
come first with the head resting upon and between them. 
If all means fail to deliver the foal alive we can cut it away 
piece by piece, opening its bowels first and taking them 
out and then proceeding as our best judgment would in- 
dicate. The lives of many valuable mares have been saved 
by this means. 

Abortion. 

But few mares abort without sufficient cause. It may be 
brought about by extra hard work, external violence, falls, 



AND LECTURES 141 

etc. As a rule everything passes off naturally and with 
but little outward signs of trouble aside from nervous pros- 
tration and a slight elevation of temperature and pulse. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Give absolute rest and watch patient closely. Give the 
following internally: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Potash, Nitrate of 2 ounces 

Sassafras Bark (Powdered) .... 2 ounces 

Gentian (Powdered) 1 ounce 

Flaxseed Meal 8 ounces 

Mix and give a tablespoonful 3 times a day. 

Puerperal Fever. 

This usually comes on about the second or third day 
after parturition, and is very fatal when neglected. 

HOW TO KNOW IT. 

The organs become swollen, the temperature runs high, 
the pulse and respiration are rapid, the ears and legs are 
cold, the urine is scouty and highly colored, the bowels 
are constipated and the secretioo of milk is suspended. 

WHAT TO DO. 

Protect the patient from exposure and see that the bow- 
els are kept well open. Wash out the womb with a so- 
lution of boric acid, (about an ounce to the quart of water) 
and use same fever preparation as in inflammation of ihe 
womb. 



CHAPTER XV 

OPERATIONS ON THE HORSE. 

Some of the more simple operations can be readily per- 
formed by the commona ity of people if they will but exer- 
cise a reasonable amount of care, but we can lay down no 
fixed rules in this connection, every case demanding its 
own peculiar treatment 

Bleeding. 

This is almost an obsolete practice, but is still employed 
with beneficial results in some instances. Under no cir- 
cumstances would I advise bleeding unless the pulse be 
full and strong. Bleeding in the nose has been fully de- 
scribed in blind staggers Sometimes bleeding in the 
mouth is necessary, but it is not a good idea to make inci- 
sion farther back than the second bar To deplete the entire 
system we bleed from the jugular vein. This we do by 
cording the neck so as to fill the vein, then place the blade 
of fleam on it and strike it a good smart bio v with a round 
stick Always catch blood in some vessel so as to know 
how much you draw. Take anywhere from three to five 
quarte of blood, depending upon the size of horse. When 
patienl has bled sufficiently remove the cord and bleeding 
usually stops, if it does not pass a pin through edges of 
wound and wind a hair or thread around it in a figure 8 



AND LECTURES. 143 

shape. In bleeding from legs in founder the legs are not 
corded, but the bleeding is stopped with the pin as just 
described. 

Stopping Blood. 

To stop blood from wounds, such as wire cuts, castra- 
tion, etc , we should take up the severed artery and ligate 
it if possible; when this can not be done apply Monsel's so- 
lution of iron on absorbent cotton, or dry tanic acid to 
wound Shoul i th s fail apply iron at white heat 

Extracting Teeth. 

This operation is entirely mechanical and requires for- 
ceps made for ihe purpose Place forceps on tooth to be 
extracted and exert lateral pressure until you feel it give 
in the socket then lift it out 

Removing Tumors 

Tumors are fatty, fibrous, fungoid, bony, etc , and nearly 
always require an operation. To remove a tumor make an 
incisio 1 through the skin and dowu to the tun or proper, 
dissect it out carefully and treat as a simple wound 

Opening a.n Abscess. 

This is a very simple operation, but should always be 
done carefully and intelligently. Always open an ab cess 
at its lowest point, (this is done for the sake of drainage,) 
make a free incision for the escape of pus The idea in 
every instance is to get rid of pus and broken down tissues. 

Operating in Blood Spavin. 

To perform this operation it is best to cast the horse. 



144 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTION 

Make an incision about four inches long through the 
enlargement and sufficiently deep to deplete it. Then 
place a sponge on the spavin knot and bandage tightly. 
Remove and replace this every twenty-four hours for sev- 
eral days. 

Tapping the Colon. 

This operation has been sufficiently described under the 
head of flatulent or wind colic. 

Tapping the Chest. 

This operation sometimes becomes necessary when there 
is an effusion in pleurisy. Remove the hair by clipping 
from the spot where you intend operating, which is about 
three inches back of elbiw an 1 about five from bottom of 
chest. Use a sharp scalpel and cut between the ribs 
through skin and flesh and insert a trochar or quill and 
drain off all the water and repeat as often as it collects. 



The be t age f >r castrating is from two to three years, 
this usually admitting of a good development of the neck 
and fore parts The mild days of early spring are best for 
operating on horses. Cast the horse and tie him securety, 
take the scrotum in one hand and draw it over one of the 
testicles so that -.he dividing line can be seen and avoided; 
make a slit in scrotum about three inches long and parallel 
with the diviJ ug line, split open inner coverings one by 
one until testicle pops out, (do not wound testicle with 
knife,) separate tunics fron °rs small end and scrape the 

cord into with knife about ; 1'iiC.i and a half from testicle. 
When this is done remove thi : second testicle in the same 
way. Should there be much hemorrhage from castration, 
use a strong solution of alum water in the scrutum. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
JOCKEY THICKS. 

It is not the purpose of the writer to furnish in this chap- 
ter information through which the dishonest may defraud 
his unsuspecting neighbor, but merely to give the readtr 
some idea of the deception and fraud which is constantly 
being perpetr ted by the unscrupulous horse trader upon a 
m re innocent and honest public 

An old horse is often jockeyed up until he looks young 
again This is done by means of "doctoring" the teeth as 
it is commonly called, and by making a slight incision at 
the side of and just below the ear, into which a small quill 
is introduce i, and the surrounding parts just beneath the 
skin are blown full of air. This incision is then sewed up 
with silk thread. By rubbing the parts freely with the 
hands this air passes into and fills out all the shrunken 
places around the eyes and ears, making the animal ap- 
pear young again. 

Old horses are often given apparently new life by the 
following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Oil of Cloves i ounce 

Oil of Anise Seed i ounce 

Asafoetida, Tincture of 2 ounces 

Oil of Rosemary 1 ounce 

Mix and shake well and giv^ 15 drops a day in a bucket of 
water. This will give life to all that are not dead, and a 
horse to which it has been given will need a good rider for 
he is very lively. 



I46 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

There is a quick process of fattening horses for trade, it 
can be done in six days by using the following: 

PRESCRIPTION. 

Nitric Acid . 3 drachms 

Bicarbonate of Soda 2 ounces 

Nitrate of Potash 3 ounces 

Black Antimony 3 ounces 

Asafoetida Gum . . * ...... 3 ounces 

Mix and give a tablespoonful twice a day for 6 days in soft 
feed. The flesh acquired through this means is of a poor 
quality and the horse will not hold it but a few days, being 
left in a wors^ condition than in the beginning 

A horse is sometimes made lame for reasons usually best 
known to the jockey, by taking a hair f om his mane or 
tail and passing it beneath the I ack tendon of the fore leg 
by means of a common sewing needle, and clipping the 
ends off close so as not 10 be noticeable. In a short time 
the horse will be very lame, but when the hair is removed 
he is all light again. 

One of the meanest tricks to which the jockey stoops is 
in making a good horse appear as if going blind when 
there is no trouble with the eyes. This is done by plug- 
ging up the nasal openings of the lachrymal ducts with 
bees wax. The trouble passes away as soon as the wax is 
removed. 

A horse is sometimes made to quit eating by covering 
his teeth with tallow, he will starve when this is done be- 
fore he will eat a bite. Remove the tallow from the teeth 
and he will eat as before. 

We have explained how the heaves are "shut down" it| 
our treatment of the trouble, 



SUPPLEMENT. 



In these supplementary pages will be found some of the most val- 
uable and effective prescriptions for cattle known to the profession: 

TONIC POWDERS. 

Sulphur 3 ounces 

Mustard (Powdered) 4 ounces 

Sassafras Bark " 2 ounces 

Gentian " 1 ounce 

Foenugreek " 1 ounce 

Skunk Cabbage " 2 ounces 

Mix and give two tablespoonsful a day. 

PURGATIVE. 

Epsom Salts 16 ounces 

Gentian (Powdered) 1 ounce 

Ginger " 1 ounce 

Mix and give at one dose in a quart of water. 

FEVER MIXTURE. 

Aconite, Tincture of 3 drachms 

Belladonna, Fluid Extract of 1-2 ounce 

Potash, Nitrate of 2 ounces 

Linseed Infusion 1 pint 

Mix and give two ounces at a dose every 2 hours. 
FEVER MIXTURE, NO. 2. 

Niter, Spirits oi 3 ounces 

Aconite, Tincture of 2 drachms 

Belladonna, Fluid Extract of 2 ounces 



14-3 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

Potash, Nitrate of 2 ounces 

Ammonia, Muriate of 2 ounces 

Water, q. s. ad 2 pints 

Mix and give a half teacupful at a dose every 2 hours. 

SORE THROAT. 

Potash, Chlorate of 2 ounces 

Acid, Carbolic 20 drops 

Water q. s. ad 1 pint 

Mix and mop out throat 3 or 4 times a day. 

CHRONIC COUGH. 

Camphor Gum 1 ounce 

Niter, Spirits of .4 ounces 

Ginger, Tincture of 2 ounces 

Potash, Nitrate of 1 1-2 ounces 

Water q. s. ad 2 pints 

Mix and give a teacupful 3 times a day. 

HEAVES. 

Mustard Ground 4 ounces 

Gentian, Powdered 2 ounces 

Foenugreek " • 1 ounce 

Lobelia Seed " 2 ounces 

Blood Root " 2 ounces 

Potash, Nitrate of 21-2 ounces 

Mix and give two tablespoonsful twice a day. 

TO RELIEVE PAIN. 

Opium, Tincture of 1 ounce 

Aconite, Tincture of 1-2 drachm 

Water q. s. ad t pint 

Mix and give at two doses an hour apart. 

STIMULANT. 

Brandy . . 12 ounces 

Ginger, Tincture of 3 ounces 

Water q. s. ad 2 pints 

Mix and give a half pint at a dose as indicated. 



PRIVATE PRESCRIPTION izj-9 

CHRONIC INDIGESTION 

Soda, Bicarbonate of 4 ounces 

Gentian, Powdered • • 3 ounces 

Ginger " 2 ounces 

Skunk Cabbage, Powdered . 2 ounces 

Mix and give one tablespoonful at a dose night and morning. 

CONSTIPATION. 

Epsom Salts 10 ounces 

Ginger, Powdered 1 ounce 

Nux Vomica, Powdered 2 drachms 

Mix and give at one dose in a quart of water. 

DIARRHOEA. 

Chalk Precipitated 2 ounces 

Catechu, Powdered ■ 1 ounce 

Ginger, " . . 2 ounces 

Opium, " 2 drachms 

Mix with a piut of water and give a half te icupful night and morn- 
ing. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 

Opium, Tincture of 4 ounces 

Aconite, Fluid Extract of 1 drachm 

Belladonna, Fluid Extract of 2 drachms 

Niter, Spirits of 4 ounces 

Mix and give three tablespoonsful every 3 hours-in linseed tea. 

BLOODY URINE. 

Gentian, Tincture of 1-2 ounce 

Muriate of Iron, Tincture of 2 drachms 

Aconite, Tincture of 20 drops ~" 

Water q. s. ad 1 pint 

Mix and give at one dose and repeat 3 times a day for one week. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. 

Opium, Tincture of 1 ounce 

Aconite, Tincture of 20 drops 

Mindererus, Spirits of . . . • • 2 ounces 

Mix and give at one dose in a pint of linseed tea and repeat every 2 
hours. 



I$0 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

RHEUMATISM. 

Cinchona Bark Powdered i ounce 

Potash, Nitrate of • .... i 1.2 ounces 

Foenugreek Powdered 1-2 ounce 

Colchicum . . . 1 ounce 

Mix and give at 4 doses, two a day. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. 

Potash, Bromide of 2 ounces 

Aconite, Tincture of 2 drachms 

Belladonna, Fluid Extract of 3 drachms 

Water q. s. ad 8 ounces 

Mix and give two tablespoonsful at a dose every 2 hours. 

HEAT PROSTRATION. 

Ammonia, Aqua 1 1-2 ounce 

Water q. s- ad 2 pints 

Mix and give at one dose and repeat in 30 minutes. 

PARALYSIS. 

Nux Vomica, Powdered 4 drachms 

Gentian, Powdered .1 ounce 

Flaxseed Meal 4 ounces 

Mix and divide into four doses and give one night and morning. 

RETENTION OF AFTERBIRTH. 

Epsom Salts 12 ounces 

Niter, Spirits of 1 ounce 

Belladonna, Fluid Extract of 2 drachms 

Water q. s. ad 2 pints 

Mix and give at one dose. 

FLOODING. 

Ergot, Fluid Extract of 1 ounce 

Water q. s. ad . 1 pint 

Mix and give at one dose and repeat in one hour. 

LUMP [AW LINIMENT. 

Oil of Spike 1 ounce 

Camphor Gum 3 drachms 



PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 151 

Mercury, Bichloride of 1 ounce 

Hartshorn 1 drachm 

Turpentine q. s. ad 8 ounces 

Mix and apply once a day. 

WARTS. 

Zinc, Sulphate of 1-2 ounce 

Acid, Nitric 1-2 ounce 

Acid, Sulphuric 1-2 ounce 

Mix and apply once a day until wart is dead. 

SNAKE BITES. 

Whisky 1 pint 

Ammonia, Aquae 1 drachm 

Water q. s. ad 2 pints 

Mix and give at one dose. 

MANGE. 

Sulphur 4 ounces 

Oil of Tar 21-2 ounces 

Acid, Carbolic (crude) 1-2 ounce 

Linseed Oil 16 ounces 

Mix and apply once a day. 

LICE. 

Olive Oil 1 ounce 

Kerosene 1 ounce 

Sulphur 1 ounce 

Lard 1 ounce 

Mix. One application is generally sufficient. 

SCREW WORMS. 

Pine Tar 4 ounces 

Acid, Carbolic (crude) 1 ounce 

Oil of Cedar 21-2 ounces 

Alcohol 3 ounces 

Mix and apply. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE UDDER. 

Camphor Gum 1 ounce 

Linseed Oil 8 ounces 

Mix and rub in well 3 or 4 times a day. 



152 PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS 

CHAPPED AND SORE TEATS. 

Olive Oil 4 ounces 

Camphor Gum 1 ounce 

Acid, Carbolic . 1 drachm 

Mix and apply twice a day. 

BITTER AND BLOODY MILK. 

Mustard, Ground 3 ounct-s 

Sulphur • • . . 2 ounces 

Potash, Nitrate of 4 ounces 

Potash, Chlorate of 1-2 ounce 

Sassafras Bark, Powdered 2 ounces 

Gentian, " 1 ounce 

Skunk Cabbage " 2 ounces 

Mix and give two tablespoonsful once or twice a day as indicated. 

JOINT ILL. 

Sodium, Salycilate of 2 drachms 

Blood Root, Powdered 2 drachms 

Flaxseed Meal 2 ounces 

Mix and divide into 6 powders and give one morning, noon and 

night. 

SCOURING IN CALVES. 

Iron, Sulphate of 1-2 drachm 

Chalk, Precipitated 2 drachms 

Lump Starch 2 drachms 

Jamaica Ginger 20 drops 

Nux Vomica, Tincture of .... 2 drops 

Opium, Tincture of 15 drops 

Mix and give at one dose in new milk. 



INDEX. 

A 

Page. 

Abortion ... 140 

Abscesses 90 

Abscess, Opening oi 143 

Actions 10 

Aneurism 95 

Ankle, Cocked , 121 

Apoplexy 99 

B 

Bladder, Eversion of 77 

Bladder, Inflammation of 72 

Bladder, Paralysis of 76 

Bladder, Rupture of 77 

Bladder, Spasm of the Neck of 73 

Bleeding 142 

Blood, Stopping 143 

Bots 53 

Bowels, Inflammation of 66 

Brain, Inflammation of 97 

Bronchitis, Acute 30 

Bronchitis, Chronic 32 

c 

Canker 135 

Caries 116 

Castrating 144 

Castration, Evil Results of 138 

Cataract 106 

Catarrh, Acute 24 

Catarrh, Chronic 26 

Chest, Tapping the 144 

Choked , 21 

Colic, Bilious 54 

Colic, Flatulent 57 

Colic, Spasmodic 55 

Colic, Wind 57 

Colon, Tapping the 144 

Constipation 60 

Corns 129 

Cough, Chronic 46 

D 

Diabetes 75 

Diaphragm, Rupture of ..... , 59 



154 INDKX. 

Page. 

Diarrhoea 62 

Distemper 35 

Drenching , 13 

Dropsy 117 

Dysentery 63 

E 

Endocardium, Disease of 93 

Eczema • 112 

Extracting Tooth 143 

Eyelids, Torn 107 

F 

Farcy ' 91 

Feeding 14 

Fever, Puerperal 141 

Fistulous Withers • * 115 

Foul Sheath 84 

Founder ". . 135 

Founder, Acute 136 

Founder, Chronic , 137 

G 

Gastritis 49 

Glanders . > , 91 

Glass Eye 105 

Gleet, Nasal 26 

Gonorrhoea 81 

Gravel in Foot 133 

Grease-Heel 120 

H 

Heart, Atrophy of . 95 

Heart, Enlargement of 94 

Heaves 38 

Hide-Bound in 

Hip Lameness 127 

Hipped 127 

I 

Inclinations 10 

Indigestion 25 

Influenza 88 

Iris, Inflammation of 105 

Itchy Skin no 

Itchy Tail no 

J 

Jockey Tricks 145 



INDKX. 155 

K 

Page. 

Kidneys, Congestion of ... . 71 

Kidneys, Inflammation of 69 

Know What You Are Treating 11 

L 

Lampas 17 

Laryngitis 27 

Lice 108 

Liver, Congestion of 85 

Liver, Inflammation of 86 

Lock Jaw 100 

Loco Poisoning 103 

Lungs, Congestion of 41 

M 

Mange 108 

Medicine, How to Give 13 

Medicine, when Indicated- 12 

Meningitis 99 

Moon Blindness 104 

Mouth, Sore 18 

N 

Narrow Heel . . . . . 133 

Necrosis 116 

Nursing 14 



Operating in Blood Spavin 143 

Ovaries, Inflammation of 140 

P 

Parturition 140 

Penis, Wound of 139 

Pharyngitis 20 

Pink Eye . 88 

Pleurisy , 43 

Pneumonia 33 

Poll Evil • 114 

Powders, Tonic 29 

Pricking 131 

Prompt Treatment, Importance of 10 

Pulse 7 

Q 

Quarter Cracks 131 

Quinsy 29 

Quitter j. . . 130 



156 INDEX 

R 

Page. 

Respiration 9 

Rheumatism 89 

Ring Bone 121 

Ringworm 109 

s 

Stomach, Rupture of 59 

Superpurgation 64 

Surfeit in 

Sweeny 125 

3addle Galls 113 

Scratches 120 

Shoulder Lameness 125 

Side-Bone 135 

Sit-Fasts 114 

Spavin, Bog 123 

Spavin, Bone 122 

Spavin, Blood 124 

Splint 122 

Staggers, Blind 102 

Stifled 126 

Staggers, Stomach 51 

Stone Bruises : 134 

Sunstroke 101 

T 

Teeth, Elongated 15 

Teeth, Irregular 15 

Teeth, Sharp 15 

Teeth, Uneven 15 

Temperature . . . . 8 

Thumps 96 

Tongue, Laceration of 19 

Toothache . , 16 

Tumor in False Nostril 23 

Testicles, Inflammation of 138 

Tetanus (See Lockjaw) 

Thrush 132 

Tumors, Removing of 143 

u 

Urethra, Stricture of 80 

Urinary, Calculi 82 

Urine, Bloody 78 

Urine, Dribbling of 79 

w 

Worms 67 

Warts 113 

Weeping Eyes 107 

Wind Galls 119 

Wire Cuts . . . , 117 



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